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AUTOMOBILE 

MECHANICIANS’ CATECHISM 


A Series of Examination Questions and 
Answers Prepared Expressly 
for the Use of 

Owners, Chauffeurs, Garage Men, and 
Automobile Machinists 

BY 

CALVIN F. SWINGLE, M. E. 

W 

More than 400 Questions and Answers covering every 
detail of Automobile Design, Construction, Operation 
and Repair Work. Will be found to be a most 
valuable aid to all persons contemplating 
an appearance before a Board of 
Examiners for the purpose of 
obtaining a Chauffeur’s 
License 



CHICAGO 

FREDERICK J. DRAKE & CO. 
PUBLISHERS 




COPYRIGHT 1910 

By 

FREDERICK J. DRAKE 




£ Cl. A 2 7 8 


Q f* 

O rW 



INTRODUCTION 


it 

* 


The phenomenal development of the art of auto- 
mobiling within the past ten years has resulted in 
the creation of new branches of skilled labor of 
the highest grade, not only in the design and con¬ 
struction of this useful and valuable machine, but 
also in its care and operation. The safe and suc¬ 
cessful management of the swiftly moving auto, 
as it threads its way through the crowded street, 
or rapidly covers distance out upon the highway 
calls for skill, intelligence, and a thorough knowl¬ 
edge of the machine in all its details. It is there¬ 
fore with a view of supplying this information in 
a condensed, and at the same time clear and ac¬ 
curate form, that the author has prepared this 
little book in which the autoist can find without 
delay just the instructions needed for guidance in 
the repair, adjustment and operation of this in¬ 
tricate piece of mechanism. 

All of the latest, and most modern systems of 
ignition, including their construction, care and 
operation are treated upon, and correct methods 
given for dealing with all of the various troubles 
encountered w T hile en route. Besides explosive and 
electric motors, considerable' space is also devoted 
to the steam automobile which appears to be rapidly 
coming into favor. The catechism will also be 
found to be a most valuable aid to chauffeurs w r hen 
called upon to appear before a board of examiners 
for the purpose of qualifying for a license. 




QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 

A. 


Ques. 1. Mention some of the inconveniences 
connected with the use of the Acetylene light? 

Ans. It contains impurities which endanger 
health when burned in a closed room. Carbon 
dust gets into the burners and clogs them; some¬ 
times causing explosions. 

Ques. 2. What should be done with an Acety¬ 
lene lamp system in order to get satisfactory 
service from it? 

Ans. Strict cleanliness should be maintained 
at all times, and the various parts should be 
examined and replaced from time to time as 
necessary. 

Ques. 3. How is the electrolyte for storage 
battery cells made? 

Ans. By pouring sulphuric acid into distilled 
water until the specific gravity is 1.12; then 
allow the solution to cool until its temperature 
is about 60 degrees. 

Ques. 4. What is an electrical accumulator? 

Ans. The storage battery is an accumulator 
of electrical energy, and is used for driving the 
electrically propelled car. 

Ques. 5. Define the word Acceleration. 

Ans. The increase of motion; the time period 
of mutation in velocity. 


11 


12 


Automobile 


Ques. 6. Wliat is an acetometer? 

Ans. A graduated hydrometer used to as¬ 
certain the strength of acetic acid. 

Ques. 7. What is an active coil, or con¬ 
ductor? 

Ans. One that is conveying an electric cur¬ 
rent. 

Ques. 8. What are the leading features of 
the Adams motor car? 

Ans. The crank shaft is mounted vertically, 
and is stationary, the five cylinders revolving 
around it. The drive from the revolving cylin¬ 
ders to the gear set is through a bevel gear at¬ 
tached to the base of the revolving crank case, 
and which meshes with a bevel gear on one of 
the transverse shafts of the transmission. 

Ques. 9. What rule should govern the diam¬ 
eter of admission pipes for explosive motors ? 

Ans. The internal diameter of the admission 
should not exceed one-fourth the diameter of the 
motor cylinder. 

Ques. 10. How may the diameter of admis¬ 
sion valve opening be determined ? 

Ans. Multiply the bore of cylinder in inches 
by the stroke in inches, and by the number of 
revolutions per minute and divide the product 
by 15,000. 

Ques. 11. What should be the lift of a flat 
seated valve, relative to its diameter? 

Ans. The lift should be one-fourth the diam¬ 
eter of the valve. 


Catechism 


13 


Ques. 12. Does the rule given in answer to 
Ques. 10 for valve diameter apply to all types 
of valves? 

Ans. No, only to those which are mechanic¬ 
ally operated. For atmospherically operated 
valves, substitute 12,750 instead of 15,000 for 
the divisor. 

Ques. 13. Give the composition of air. 

Ans. By weight, oxygen 77 parts, nitrogen 
23 parts. By volume, oxygen 21 parts, nitrogen 
79 parts. 

Ques. 14. How many, and what are the 
methods in use for cooling the cylinders of ex¬ 
plosive motor engines? 

Ans. Two; the air system, and the water 
system. 

Ques. 15. Describe the air cooling system. 

Ans. A rotary fan driven by the engine di¬ 
rects a constant current of fresh unheated air 
upon the outside surface of the cylinders. 

Ques. 16. What proportion of air to gaso¬ 
line is required for the best explosive mixture? 

Ans. 8,000 volumes of air to 1 volume of 
liquid gasoline. 

Ques. 17. Define gasoline considered as a 
mechanical mixture. 

Ans. It consists of several hydrocarbon dis¬ 
tillates, in which the compound hexane is sup¬ 
posed to be the major portion. 

Ques. 18. Give the formula for hexane. 

Ans. C 6 H 14 . 


14 


Automobile 


Ques. 19. What, then, would be a final ex¬ 
pression of complete combustion of hexane ? 

Ans. 2 C 6 H 14 X 19 0 2 = 12 C0 2 + 14 H 2 0 
In which C = Carbon 

H = Hydrogen 
O = Oxygen 

Ques. 20. If Y == the velocity of the car in 
feet per second, and A = projected area of the 
front of the car in square feet, how may the 
horse power required to overcome the air re¬ 
sistance be found? 

Ans. By use of the following formula: 

V 3 X A 

HP =- 

240,000 

Ques. 21. How many kinds of alcohol are 
there ? 

Ans. Two; methyl, or wood alcohol C H 4 O, 
and ethyl, or grain alcohol, C 2 H 6 O. 

Ques. 22. Is wood alcohol practicable as a 
fuel for internal combustion engines? 

Ans. It is not, owing to corrosive action on 
the cylinders. 

Ques. 23. What is denatured alcohol? 

Ans. Pure grain alcohol, diluted as follows: 
To 100 volumes of alcohol are added 10 volumes 
of methyl, and one-half of one volume of ben¬ 
zine ; or two volumes of methyl, and one-half 
volume of pyridine bases. 

Ques. 24. As compared with gasoline, is al¬ 
cohol a desirable fuel for internal combustion 
motors ? 



Catechism 


15 


Ans. In some respects it is; as, for instance, 
the combustion is complete, the exhaust is prac¬ 
tically odorless, and there is far less noise. On 
the other hand, a much larger quantity of al¬ 
cohol is required in proportion to horse power 
developed than with gasoline, and a much 
greater degree of compression is required with 
alcohol as fuel. 

Ques. 25. What is the ratio of air to alcohol 
vapor required for complete combustion? 

Ans. From 10 to 25 volumes of air to 1 of 
alcohol. 

Ques. 26. What is aluminum? 

Ans. A soft, ductile, malleable metal, of a 
bluish white color, non-corrosive, T. S. about 
one-third that of iron; the lightest of all useful 
metals, except magnesium. 

Ques. 27. What is aluminoid ? 

Ans. Alloy composed of, by weight, 60 parts 
aluminum, 30 parts tin, and 10 parts zinc. T. S’. 
18,000 lbs., suitable for crank chambers, gear 
cases, etc., being light, extremely ductile, and 
readily machined. 

Ques. 28. What is the function of an am¬ 
meter ? 

Ans. To measure the volume of the electric 
current flowing in a circuit. 

Ques. 29. What is an ampere? 

Ans. The unit of electric current flow. 

Ques. 30. What is the meaning of an am¬ 
pere-hour? 

Ans. In connection with a storage battery 


16 


Automobile 


an ampere hour denotes the capacity of the bat¬ 
tery for current, as for instance a battery that 
will keep a 2 ampere lamp burning for 8 hours 
is said to have a 16 ampere hour capacity. 

Ques. 31. What is an armature ? 

Ans. The rotating part of a dynamo, or elec¬ 
tric motor. Two types are in general use with 
automobiles, viz., the shuttle type, and the slot¬ 
ted type of armature. 

Ques. 32. What is autogenous welding? 

Ans. The welding, or rather melting together 
of metals by means of the oxyacetylene flame, 
the temperature of which is 6,300 degrees F. 

Ques. 33. What is an auto-meter? 

Ans. An instrument for recording the speed 
of an automobile or other vehicle in miles per 
hour. 

Ques. 34. Name the various types of auto¬ 
mobiles. 

Ans. Gasoline cars—Runabout, Touring Car, 
Light Car with detachable Tonneau, Stanhope, 
Roadster. Electric—Runabout, Parktrap, Phae¬ 
ton, Brougham, Depot Bus, Light Delivery 
Wagon. 

Ques. 35. Which one of the axles of an auto¬ 
mobile is ordinarily used for driving the ma¬ 
chine? 

Ans. The rear axle. 

Ques. 36. What is a dead axle? 

Ans. An axle which carries weight only. 

Ques. 37. What is a live axle? 


Catechism 


17 


Ans. An axle containing parts that turn the 
wheels, in addition to carrying weight. 

Ques. 38. What is a floating axle? 

Ans. A special type of live axle in which the 
shaft that turns the wheels is independent of 
the axle proper. 

B. 

Ques. 39. What is meant by the term back¬ 
firing? 

Ans. An explosion or impulse which forces 
the fly wheel of a motor suddenly backwards, 
that is in the opposite direction to its proper 
rotation. 

Ques. 40. What causes back firing? 

Ans. Back firing may be caused by (1) the 
explosion of an accumulation of unburned gases 
in the exhaust muffler, (2) a weak mixture, (3) 
an overheated combustion chamber, (4) advanc¬ 
ing the ignition point too far ahead when the 
motor is running slow under heavy load, (5) de¬ 
posits of carbon (soot) in combustion chamber, 
which may become incandescent, causing pre¬ 
mature ignition. 

Ques. 41. How many types of ball bearings 
are in use on automobiles? 

Ans. Three—thrust, cone, and annular. 

Ques. 42. Why are thrust bearings so 
called ? 

Ans. Because they are intended to sustain 
end thrust. For this reason they require to be 
correctly machined. 


18 


Automobile 


Ques. 43. Is the adjustable cone bearing a 
good bearing for automobiles? 

Ans. It usually gives excellent results, ex¬ 
cept under heavy loads. 

Ques. 44. Which type of ball bearing is prob¬ 
ably the best for all kinds of auto service? 

Ans. The annular, consisting of three ele¬ 
ments, two races, and the balls. 

Ques. 45. What percentage of the balls are 
under load at any one time, in the annular type ? 

Ans. Only 30 per cent. 

Ques. 46. Should ball bearings be lubri¬ 
cated ? 

Ans. They should. 

Ques. 47. How is a dry battery usually 
made up? 

Ans. A zinc cell forms the negative element, 
and the electrolyte is generally a jelly-like com¬ 
pound containing sal-ammoniac, chloride of 
zinc, etc. The positive element, or carbon, is 
enclosed in a sack containing dioxide of man¬ 
ganese and crushed coke, which are the depolar¬ 
izing agents of the battery. 

Ques. 48. What is a primary battery? 

Ans. Any battery, either dry or wet, which 
generates electric current within itself. 

Ques. 49. What type of primary battery 
may be used for charging a small storage bat¬ 
tery in the absence of direct current? 

Ans. One of the closed circuit type, using 
zinc and carbon electrodes in a 20 per cent so- 


Catechism 


19 


lution of sulphuric acid and water, with nitrate 
of soda as the depolarizing agent. 

Ques. 50. What is the voltage usually re¬ 
quired in an ignition system? 

Ans. Usually 6 volts. 

Ques. 51. How are the batteries connected? 

Ans. Either in series, or multiple. 

Ques. 52. Describe the series-multiple con¬ 
nection. 

Ans. When two or more sets of batteries con¬ 
nected in series are, as sets joined in multiple, 
the whole is in series-multiple. 

Ques. 53. Describe in general terms the con¬ 
struction of the storage battery as used in igni¬ 
tion service. 

Ans. It is usually of the lead, lead type, the 
electrolyte being sulphuric acid and water, hav¬ 
ing a specific gravity of 1,200. The positive and 
negative plates or elements are grids made of 
lead alloy, stiffened with antimony. 

Ques. 54. Mention some of the troubles that 
attend storage batteries in service. 

Ans. Hardening of negative elements, local 
action, buckling of plates, sulphation, reversal 
of negative elements, disintegration of grids, 
broken jars, loss of capacity, short circuits. 

Ques. 55. How is loss of the electrolyte by 
evaporation compensated for? 

Ans. By adding distilled water to the cells 
from time to time. 

Ques. 56. How is the proper quantity of wa¬ 
ter to be added to the cell determined? 


20 


Automobile 


Ans. By means of an instrument called a 
hydrometer. 

Ques. 57. Aside from ball bearings, how are 
the other bearings of an automobile classified? 

Ans. In two general classes—hard and soft. 

Ques. 58. Of what metals are hard bearings 
composed ? 

Ans. Either brass or bronze. 

Ques. 59. Give the composition of soft bear¬ 
ings. 

Ans. They contain a large proportion of tin, 
or lead, and a small percentage of copper. Bab¬ 
bitt metal, anti-friction metal and white metal 
constitute such alloys. 

Ques. 60. How may the brakes on auto¬ 
mobiles be classified? 

Ans. Into three classes, as follows: Hub or 
rear wheel brakes, transmission and differential 
gear brakes. They are either single or double 
acting, foot or hand operated, and of the band, 
block, or expanding ring types. 

Ques. 61. Mention some of the advantages 
of the expanding brake. 

Ans. (1) It is less liable to drag upon the 
drum, (2) it is easily made double acting, (3) 
it has more braking power for a given pressure, 
(4) the friction surfaces are better protected 
from mud and grit. 

Ques. 62. Describe the action of the differ¬ 
ential brake. 

Ans. It usually consists of two drums; one 
of which is fastened to each of the large gears 


Catechism 


21 


of the differentials. The straps and bands en¬ 
circling these drums are tightened by pedal, or 
lever, in the usual manner. 

Ques. 63. What is the function of an equal¬ 
izer in connection with an automobile brake ? 

Ans. It causes the same pressure to be ap¬ 
plied to both brakes. 

Ques. 64. What would be the result if this 
pressure were not equally applied to the brakes? 

Ans. Side slip, or ‘‘skidding.” 

Ques. 65. Describe the sprag brake and its 
use. 

Ans. A sprag is a strong steel bar connected 
at its forward end to some point of the under 
part of the frame, while its rear end is pointed 
and hangs suspended by a chain, by means of 
which it may be dropped to the ground in case 
of emergency, thus preventing the car from 
running backwards down hills. 

Ques. 66. Are there any other forms of 
sprag brakes? 

Ans. Yes; a ratchet wheel and pawl may be 
arranged, either on the rear axle, on the differ¬ 
ential, or within the change-speed gear box, thus 
rendering backward motion of the car impos¬ 
sible when the brake is in action. 

Ques. 67. How should the sprag brake be 
used w r hen ascending dangerous hills? 

Ans. It should be set so as to act immedi¬ 
ately in case the car stops. 

Ques. 68. Among the various parts of an 


22 


Automobile 


automobile how should the brakes be consid¬ 
ered? 

Ans. The brakes come next to the motive 
power in importance, and freedom from disaster 
depends upon the brakes being kept in good 
condition and properly adjusted. 

Ques. 69. How may it be known whether 
they are in good condition or not? 

Ans. By frequently testing them while the 
car is in motion, by applying them until the car 
slows down or stops. 

Ques. 70. How should the brakes be applied 
in ordinary service? 

Ans. Except in case of emergency, the appli¬ 
cation should be gradual, reducing the speed of 
the car without locking the wheels. 

Ques. 71. In case the wheels become locked 
while descending a hill what is to be done ? 

Ans. Release the brakes until the wheels 
again revolve, then reapply gradually. 

Ques. 72. What care should the brakes re¬ 
ceive? 

Ans. They should be examined at regular 
intervals. If the lining is worn it should be re¬ 
placed with new lining. Toggle joints and ad¬ 
justing nuts should be inspected, and any loose¬ 
ness taken up. The shoes of internal expanding 
brakes should be renewed when worn. 

Ques. 73. In case a chain should break how 
may the car be driven? 

Ans. By the other chain, provided the idle 
sprocket is secured from revolving. 


Catechism 


23 


Ques. 74. How may leakage of the water 
circulating pump be repaired? 

Ans. If at the ground joint, insert a stiff 
paper gasket dipped in lubricating oil. If the 
leak is around the pump spindle use asbestos 
cord, or a strand of hemp rope soaked in vase¬ 
line and graphite or tallow. 

Ques. 75. Describe the proper method of 
cranking an explosive motor to start it. 

Ans. Adjust the crank to start against the 
compression, then give a quick pull upward. 
Do not attempt to turn the crank all the way 
around. 

Ques. 76. If, at any time, oil or grease can¬ 
not be obtained for filling the differential cas¬ 
ing, what is to be done? 

Ans. Beeswax may be used as a substitute. 

Ques. 77. Should the gasoline pipe get 
broken how may it be temporarily repaired? 

Ans. By forcing a short piece of rubber tub¬ 
ing over the broken ends. If the hole is only 
small, squeeze a piece of soap into it, and secure 
it by tying a piece of soaped rag around it with 
a piece of twine. 

Ques. 78. Should one of the cylinders miss 
some of its explosions at intervals, how may it 
be located? 

Ans. Stop the machine and then touch each 
one of the cylinders with the business end of 
a match; those cylinders that have been doing 
the work will be hot enough to ignite the match, 
while the missing cylinder will not. 


24 


Automobile 


Ques. 79. How may refractory nuts be 
loosened? 

Ans. Hold a piece of red hot iron near them 
for a few minutes. This will expand the nuts. 

Ques. 80. If a motor refuses to start readily 
what may be done to assist it ? 

Ans. Tie a small bunch of waste with a wire 
close to the air intake, and saturate it with gaso¬ 
line. 

Ques. 81. How may a broken rod, or link in 
the steering gear be temporarily repaired? 

Ans. Fasten a rod or a piece of gas pipe 
against the link, winding the wire the entire 
length of the rod. 

Ques. 82. How may broken trembler blades 
be temporarily repaired? 

Ans. By cutting corset steels to the proper 
length, and rivet them with the platinum but¬ 
ton from the broken blade through the hole 
which is punched near the end of the steel. A 
piece of the main spring of a clock also makes a 
good blade. 

Ques. 83. Enumerate some of the various 
causes of break-downs. 

Ans. Soot or grease on the spark plug; de¬ 
fective insulation of the spark plug; points of 
the spark plug too far apart; contacts badly 
corroded; broken wires; loose battery terminals; 
leaky valves; seized piston, or bearing; broken 
valve stem, or valve spring; batteries exhausted; 
defective packing. 


Catechism 


25 


C. 

Ques. 84. Mention some of the symptoms of 
carbon deposit. 

Ans. Back-firing, and knocking in cylin¬ 
ders, motor showing plenty of power at high 
speeds, but deficient in hill climbing. 

Ques. 85. What should be done when these 
symptoms appear? 

Ans. Take off the cylinder heads and scrape 
off the carbon deposit from top of pistons and 
inside of cylinders. 

Ques. 86. What is the function of the car¬ 
bureter on an explosive motor? 

Ans. To correctly prepare the mixture of 
air and gasoline before its admission to the 
cylinder. 

Ques. 87. How many types of carbureters 
are there in use? 

Ans. Four, as follows: (1) The mechanical; 
(2) mechanical, with a gasoline puddle in the 
air passage; (3) the automatic; (4) automatic 
with a gasoline puddle in the air passage. 

Ques. 88. Describe in brief the action of 
each. 

Ans. In type (1) the passages are opened 
and closed by mechanism, the passages remain¬ 
ing the same until changed by the operator. 
In type (2) a basin filled with gasoline is lo¬ 
cated in the air pipe, which serves to add a cer¬ 
tain quantity of gasoline at all suctions, but 
neither of these two types are entirely satisfac- 


26 


Automobile 


tory under the varying conditions of high speed, 
slow speed, climbing hills, or diminished suc¬ 
tion. Type (3) takes a portion of its air 
through a fixed opening, and a portion through 
an auxiliary opening which is controlled by a 
valve and coiled spring. This type gives better 
service. In type (4) the action of the gasoline 
puddle is similar to that of type (2) having the 
same objectionable features. 

Ques. 89. In what other ways are carbu¬ 
reters classified? 

Ans. According to the principles of their 
action; as for instance, the surface carbureter, 
in which the air is either passed over the sur¬ 
face of the volatile liquid, or circulated around 
a gauze wicking or metallic surface saturated 
with such liquid. Second, the filtering carbu¬ 
reter, in which air is forced under suction 
through a body of the liquid from bottom to top, 
thus absorbing particles of its substance. Third, 
the float feed carbureter, in which the liquid 
hydrocarbon is sprayed or atomized through a 
minute nozzle and mixed with a passing column 
of air. 

Ques. 90. What are some of the character¬ 
istics of the surface carbureter? 

Ans. While it is the most economical form 
still it is very irregular, and erratic in its action, 
requring constant attention. 

Ques. 91. Describe in brief the construction 
and action of the float feed carbureter. 

Ans. A small gasoline receptacle contains a 


Catechism 


27 


hollow metal, or a cork float arranged to con¬ 
trol the gasoline supply from the tank, or res¬ 
ervoir, and a tube in which is located a nozzle in 
communication with the ^gasoline receptacle. 
This is the mixing chamber. The.gasoline level 
is maintained about one-sixteenth of an inch 
below the nozzle opening in the mixing cham¬ 
ber. The gasoline is drawn from the jet in the 
mixing chamber by the vacuum created by the 
intake stroke of the motor piston, and mixes 
with the air supply to be drawn into the cylin¬ 
der in the form of an explosive mixture. 

Ques. 92. How should carbureters be in¬ 
spected? 

Ans. The float valve should be inspected for 
leaks as follows : First, close the main gasoline 
valve, then unscrew the washout plug below the 
needle valve and remove any dirt or bits of 
waste that may have passed the strainer. An¬ 
other method is to open the top of the float 
chamber and take out the float and needle valve, 
then wash out with gasoline. If a light is nec¬ 
essary in making this inspection, use an incan¬ 
descent electric, as there is danger in using any 
other. 

Ques. 93. Describe the double chain drive. 

Ans. The driving axle is solid and station¬ 
ary. To the inside of the spokes of each driv¬ 
ing wheel is bolted a large sprocket wheel, while 
a counter shaft divided at its central portion 
is carried by the chassis a short distance ahead 
of the driving axle. The two inner ends of this 


28 


Automobile 


counter shaft connect with the differential gear, 
while the two outer ends carry each a small 
sprocket wheel over which the chains travel. 

Ques. 94. Describe the single chain drive. 

Ans. The rear or driving axle revolves, and 
upon it the large sprocket is secured. The small 
sprocket is carried by the engine shaft which 
also carries the change speed gear, while the 
differential gear is located on the rear axle. 

Ques. 95. How often should the chains be 
cleaned? 

Ans. At least once a month. 

Ques. 96. How may this be done effectually? 

Ans. Remove the chains and throw them into 
a vessel containing kerosene, leaving them there 
for 10 or 12 hours, after which wash with gaso¬ 
line. After the chains are dry, soak, or boil 
them in a mixture of beef tallow and graphite. 

Ques. 97. What is the function of the 
change speed gear? 

Ans. To enable the chauffeur to increase the 
speed of the engine without increasing the speed 
of the driven shaft, or car axle. 

Ques. 98. How is this accomplished? 

Ans. In some cases by belt, and friction 
drives. In other cases by sliding gears, indi¬ 
vidual clutch gears, and planetary gears. 

Ques. 99. What is the principle of the plan¬ 
etary gear? 

Ans. It consists of a high speed connection 
for the direct drive, and an arrangement of 
gears that reduces, or reverses the motion when 


Catechism 


29 


one or another drum on which these gears are 
mounted is held stationary. 

Ques. 100. What are the basic principles of 
friction, and belt and pulley change speed 
drives ? 

Ans. The ratio of the driver and the driven 
is changed by bringing into contact friction 
discs, or pulleys of varying diameters. 

Ques. 101. Wliat is the meaning of the word 
chassis ? 

Ans. Applied to automobiles it means the 
frame, springs, wheels, transmission, in fact all 
mechanism except the automobile body. 

Ques. 101A. What is a circuit breaker? 

Ans. A device which acts automatically to 
break an electric circuit. 

Ques. 102. What is the function of a circu¬ 
lating water pump? 

Ans. It is supposed to regulate the tempera¬ 
ture of the jacket water, but it fails to do this 
perfectly, for the reason that being driven di¬ 
rect from the motor, it operates with a speed 
which varies with the speed of the motor, re¬ 
gardless of the speed of the car. In other words 
the car may be climbing a hill at slow speed 
while the motor is working at full charge, but 
getting very little cooling effect from w T ind 
pressure, or, on the other hand the car may be 
running at high speed, with the motor working 
on a light charge, while the cooling effect of the 
wind is very great, and the pump is also run¬ 
ning at high speed. 


30 


Automobile 


Ques. 103. What type of pump is ordinarily 
used on automobiles? 

Ans. The rotary. 

Ques. 104. How are clutches usually classi¬ 
fied? 

Ans. Cone, disc, and band. 

Ques. 105. What is the prime object of a 
clutch ? 

Ans. To enable the operator to start, and 
stop the car without having to stop the motor. 

Ques. 105A. What is the combustion cham¬ 
ber? 

Ans. That portion of the motor in which 
the gases are compressed, and ignited. 

Ques. 106. What are the requirements of a 
combustion chamber? 

Ans. The interior should be as smooth as 
possible, and kept free from soot or carbon de¬ 
posits. 

Ques. 107. What are the functions of the 
commutator of the ignition system of a multi¬ 
cylinder gasoline motor? 

Ans. (1) To switch the battery current in 
and out of the electrical circuit at the proper 
time; (2) to transfer the battery current suc¬ 
cessively from one coil to another; (3) to vary 
the point, or time of ignition. 

Ques. 108. What care should be given the 
commutator ? 

Ans. The platinum contacts should be 
cleaned at least once a week with fine sandpaper. 
If of the rotary wiping form, the brass or copper 


Catechism 


31 


segments should also be cleaned in the same way. 
All lock nuts, and adjusting screws should be 
carefully gone over at the same time. 

Ques. 109. What is the function of a com¬ 
pensating or flexible joint? 

Ans. To allow for the distortion of the run¬ 
ning gear, due to rough roads. 

Ques. 110. With gasoline motors what is the 
allowable compression in lbs. per sq. in. ? 

Ans. About 85 lbs. 

Ques. 111. How high may the compression 
be raised with the heavier fuels, such as kero¬ 
sene? 

Ans. 250 lbs. per sq. in. 

Ques. 112. How may the compression in at¬ 
mospheres of a motor be calculated? 

Ans. Divide the volume of the piston dis¬ 
placement in cubic inches by the volume of the 
combustion chamber, also in cubic inches, and 
add one to the result. 

Ques. 113. What is the function of a cur- 1 
rent condenser on an automobile? 

Ans. To absorb the static charge of elec¬ 
tricity caused by self-induction in the primary 
coils. 

Ques. 114. What is the function of the con¬ 
tact breaker? 

Ans. To open the electric circuit at the 
proper time for the passage of the spark at the 
points of the spark plug. 

Ques. 115. Why is cooling of the cylinders 
of explosive motors necessary? 


32 


Automobile 


Ans. In order to permit of proper lubrica¬ 
tion, and also to prevent pre-ignition. 

Ques. 116. How many cooling systems are in 
use? 

Ans. Two—viz.—air cooling, and liquid cool¬ 
ing. 

Ques. 117. What should be the temperature 
of the cylinders, for efficient work? 

Ans. As near 350 degrees F. as possible. 

Ques. 118. What liquids may be used for 
cooling? 

Ans. Alcohol; a light, thin mineral oil; or 
water. 

Ques. 119. What portion of the cylinder 
wears fastest? 

Ans. The side against which the piston is 
forced by the angularity of the connecting rod. 

D 

Ques. 120. What are Dalton’s laws relative 
to vapor tension, and quantity? 

Ans. (1) The pressure and quantity of vapor 
that will saturate a given space are the same 
for the same temperature, whether the space 
contains a gas, or is a vacuum; (2) the pres¬ 
sure of the mixture of a gas and a vapor equals 
the sum of the pressures that each would exert 
if it occupied the same space alone. 

Ques. 121. If the cooling water contains 
lime or alkali, how will it affect the cooling 
spaces ? 


Catechism 


33 


Ans. Scale, and solid substances will be de¬ 
posited inside and prevent proper circulation. 

Ques. 122. How may this scale be dissolved? 

Ans. Dilute one part of muriatic acid with 
nineteen parts water, then drain the jacket com¬ 
pletely, and pour in enough of the solution to 
fill the entire cooling space. Allow the solu¬ 
tion to remain in the jacket from 8 to 12 hours, 
then wash out by allowing clear water to run 
through it. 

Ques. 123. How often should this method be 
applied ? 

Ans. Once every two weeks, with hard 
water. 

Ques. 124. What is the function of the dif¬ 
ferential gear? 

Ans. To allow one of the driving wheels to 
turn at a different speed from the other, when 
necessary, as for instance, in rounding a sharp 
curve, the outer wheel must travel a much 
farther distance in the same length of time than 
does the inner wheel, and if the two wheels 
were turning the same number of revolutions, 
one, or both of them would be forced to slip 
were it not for the differential gear which at 
such times allows the inner wheel to turn 
slower. 

Ques. 125. What advantage is gained by the 
use of a distributer with the ignition system? 

Ans. By its use any number of cylinders may 
be sparked from a single coil. 


34 


Automobile 


Ques. 126. What precautions should be ob¬ 
served in the operation of gasoline motors ? 

Ans. Never use a match or small torch while 
inspecting the carbureter. Do not smoke while 
filling the gasoline tank. Always carry an ex¬ 
tra spark plug on the car. Do not allow the 
motor to race or run fast when out of gear, but 
retard the ignition, and throttle the charge 
when the car is to be stopped for a few min¬ 
utes. Do not fill the gasoline tank entirely full, 
but leave a small air space at the top. If the 
car while running, makes an unusual noise, stop 
immediately and ascertain the cause. Do not 
start or stop too suddenly. 

Ques. 127. What is a good rule to follow 
when on the road ? 

Ans. Drive with moderate speed on the level, 
slow speed down hill, and wide open throttle 
for hill climbing, or getting up speed only. 

Ques. 128. Why are not large driving wheels 
more used? 

Ans. Because (1) the car is less stable in 
turning corners; (2) large wheels are much more 
expensive, also more liable to injury than are 
wheels of smaller diameter. 

Ques. 129. What is a Dynamometer? 

Ans. A form of equalizing gear which is at¬ 
tached between a source of power and a piece 
of machinery, when it is desired to ascertain the 
power necessary to operate said machinery with 
a given rate of speed. 


Catechism 


35 


E. 

Ques. 130. What is meant by the efficiency 
of an explosive motor? 

Ans. The relation between the number of 
heat units consumed by the motor, and the num¬ 
ber of foot pounds of work or energy given out 
by the motor. 

Ques. 131. What proportion of the heat units 
consumed by an explosive motor are utilized, or 
given up in actual work? 

Ans. About one-fifth. 

Ques. 132. How is fuel efficiency of explosive 
motors considered, relative to that of weight? 

Ans. At the present time it is of secondary 
importance. 

Ques. 133. What then, is considered to be 
of primary importance in the performance of an 
explosive motor on an automobile? 

Ans. To obtain the maximum amount of 
power from a motor of minimum weight. 

Ques. 134. How may the fuel efficiency of a 
motor be increased? 

Ans. By a proper manipulation of the ma¬ 
chine, and by a correct adjustment of the valve 
mechanism. 

Ques. 135. What conditions affect motor 
efficiency ? 

Ans. The power for weight efficiency in¬ 
creases almost in proportion to increase of speed 
with high speed explosive motors, but the fuel 
efficiency decreases with an increase of speed 
beyond certain limitations. 


36 


Automobile 


Ques. 136. How may electricity be gener¬ 
ated ? 

Ans. In several ways, as for instance, me¬ 
chanically, chemically, and statically or by fric¬ 
tion. 

Ques. 137. What can be said of the current 
from a storage battery, and that from a dry 
battery ? 

Ans. Current from a storage battery will 
flow continuously until the battery is exhausted, 
while current from a dry battery can only be 
used intermittently, that is, it must have slight 
periods of rest. 

Ques. 138. What is the nature of the cur¬ 
rent generated by the dynamo, or magneto? 

Ans. It is alternating; reversing its direc¬ 
tion of flow rapidly. 

Ques. 139. How is it changed into a direct 
current ? 

Ans. By means of a commutator. 

Ques. 140. May any of the forms of electric 
current enumerated in the answer to question 
136 be used in the ignition system of an explo¬ 
sive motor? 

Ans. They may, but the static or frictional 
form is not used on account of its erratic nature. 

Ques. 141. What care should be given the 
electric plant of an automobile? 

Ans. Look it over frequently; replace worn 
wires with new ones; clean out the timer with 
gasoline, and lubricate with light oil. Examine 
the storage battery and if broAvn deposits are 


Catechism 


37 


seen at bottom of cells, pour out the electrolyte 
into a glass bottle, and wash the cells out with 
clear water. Clean the terminals of any corro¬ 
sion, and see that air vents are not clogged. 
Watch the accumulator and do not allow elec¬ 
trolyte to get below the proper level. If the 
storage battery is of the type in which the 
electrolyte is a jelly-like emulsion, see that it 
is kept moist on top by adding a little water to 
replace that lost by evaporation. 

Ques. 142. How much electrical energy is 
required per candle power to operate an electric 
lamp ? 

Ans. A trifle over 4 volts; one 16 candle 
power lamp requires about one-twelfth of a 
horse power. 

Ques. 143. What are the requirements of an 
electric motor for use in connection with a 
storage battery, for automobile propulsion? 

Ans. It should be capable of withstanding 
an overload of over 100 per cent for at least 
thirty minutes at a time, without unduly heat¬ 
ing. 

Ques. 144. How many types of electric mo¬ 
tors are in general use? 

Ans. Three, viz., shunt-wound, series-wound, 
and compound wound. 

Ques. 145. Which type of motor is usually 
in use on electric automobiles? 

Ans. The series-wound, as it gives the most 
satisfactory results. 


38 


Automobile 


Ques. 146. Describe in brief the winding of 
a series motor. 

Ans. The field magnets are wound with a 
few turns of very large wire. One end of this 
is connected to one of the commutator brushes, 
while the other end of the wire, and the other 
brush terminal connect with the battery, or 
other source of current. 

Ques. 147. Describe the winding of a shunt 
motor? 

Ans. The field magnets are wound with a 
great many turns of very small wire, the ends 
of which connect directly with the terminals of 
the commutator brushes. 

Ques. 148. How are compound motors 
wound ? 

Ans. They are double wound; that is, with 
both shunt and series windings. 

Ques. 149. Describe briefly the construction 
of the armature of an electric motor. 

Ans. It is built up of a number of disks of 
sheet iron, separated by thin sheets of paper, or 
by the use of varnish between them to prevent 
eddy currents. 

Ques. 150. What work does the commutator 
of an electric motor perform ? 

Ans. It receives the current from the bat¬ 
tery, or other source, through the brushes, and 
transmits it to the armature coils. 

Ques. 151. What are the essential features 
of an electric motor? 

Ans. The brushes, the commutator, the arma- 


Catechism 


39 


ture, the field magnets, and pole pieces, the lat¬ 
ter being an extension of the magnet core; and 
the magnet frame, usually of cast steel. 

Ques. 152. What are some of the troubles 
connected with the operation of electric motors? 

Ans. Open circuits, improper connections, 
and short circuits. 

Ques. 153. Where may open circuits he 
looked for? 

Ans. (1) At the battery terminals, which 
may be corroded, or loose;(2) in the controller, a 
connection may be loose, contact fingers not 
making good contact, or the removable plug may 
be out; (3) at the brushes, one may have fallen 
out, or springs too weak to insure good con¬ 
tact; (4) the reversing switch may be half way 
over, leaving batteries and motor on open cir¬ 
cuit. 

Ques. 154. If the ammeter indicates a large 
current, but motor refuses to start, what is 
the trouble? 

Ans. Short circuit. 

Ques. 155. How may it generally be located? 

Ans. Lift one of the brushes, and if amper¬ 
age drops, or disappears altogether, the short 
circuit is in one of the field coils; or a broken 
wire may be touching some portion of the metal 
of the car, or an exposed part of another wire. 

Ques. 156. Mention three principal ways in 
which the speed of electric motors may be 
varied? 

Ans. (1) By introducing variable resistances 


40 


Automobile 


in the motor and battery circuit; (2) by vary¬ 
ing the voltage of the battery, using different 
combinations of the trays; (3) by connecting 
the field coils either all in series, in series par¬ 
allel, or all in parallel. 

Ques. 157. What constitutes one electrical 
horse power? 

Ans. The current (C) in amperes multiplied 
by the electro-motive force (E) in volts, di¬ 
vided by 746; expressed as follows: 

EXC 

E. H. P. =- 

746 


Ques. 158. How many watts are neecssary 
to deliver one mechanical, or brake horse power 
in practice? 

Ans. 1,000 watts, expressed as one kilowatt. 

Ques, 159. If the brake horse power of an 
electric motor be known, how may the efficiency 
be calculated? 

Ans. By the following formula: 


B. H. P. X 746 


e = 


in which 


EXC 


e = Efficiency 

B. H. P. = Brake horse power 
E = Volts 
C = Amperes. 




Catechism 


41 


Ques. 160. Define the term, Electro-Motive 
Force (E. M. F.). 

Ans. It is the manifestation of energy in an 
electric current; as for instance, a current un¬ 
der a pressure of one volt will force one ampere 
through one ohm of resistance. 

Ques. 161. What two causes are responsible 
for a smoky exhaust on an explosive motor? 

Ans. (1) Over-lubrication; (2) too rich a 
mixture. 

Ques. 162. What is the function of an ex¬ 
haust muffler? 

Ans. To deaden the noise of the escaping 
gases. 

Ques. 163. What is liable to occur to an 
exhaust muffler if it is not cleaned regularly ? 

Ans. Carbon deposits on the interior, which 
will tend to increase the back pressure. 

Ques. 164. What will be the result if the 
exhaust valve is allowed to close too early? 

Ans. An excess of burned gas will remain in 
the cylinder, while if kept open too long some 
of the burned gas will re-enter the cylinder 
during the suction stroke. 

Ques. 165. Upon what six conditions does 
the efficiency of the expansion in the cylinder 
of an explosive motor depend? 

Ans. (1) Initial volume of the charge; (2) 
condition of the mixture; (3) compression pres¬ 
sure; (4) point of ignition; (5) piston speed; 
(6) losses due to radiation. 


42 


Automobile 


Ques. 166. How many, and what types of 
explosive motors are in general use? 

Ans. Two, viz., two cycle and four cycle. 

Ques. 167. Wliat is meant by the term cycle ? 

Ans. The four stages through which the 
conditions in the cylinder must pass in order to 
develop one power stroke of the piston. 

Ques. 168. Relative to the revolutions of the 
crank, how often does an explosive, or power 
stroke occur in a two cycle engine ? A four cycle 
engine ? 

Ans. At every revolution, or every second 
stroke, in a two cycle engine, and every alter¬ 
nate revolution, or every fourth stroke of the 
piston, in a four cycle engine. 

Ques. 169. How many compression chambers 
are required in a two cycle engine? 

Ans. Two, for the reason that two cylinders, 
either side by side or tandem are required, and 
while the charge is being received in one, the 
previous charge in the other cylinder is being 
compressed preparatory to explosion. 

Ques. 170. Define the stages of a single cyl¬ 
inder, or four cycle engine? 

Ans. (1) Induction; during an out stroke of 
the piston the explosive mixture is drawn into 
the cylinder in proper proportions; (2) com¬ 
pression; on the return or in stroke the piston 
compresses this mixture into the clearance 
space; (3) explosion; the compressed mixture 
is ignited, causing a rapid rise in pressure, and 
subsequent expansion of products, causing an- 


Catechism 


43 


other out stroke of piston; (4) expulsion; the 
expanded gases are expelled by the returning 
piston. 

Ques. 171. Define the stages of a double 
cylinder, or two cycle engine. 

Ans. (1) Cylinder No. 1, charge compressed; 
piston ready to start on out stroke; cylinder No. 
2, charged with mixture, piston ready to start 
on in stroke; (2) cylinder No. 1, charge ex¬ 
ploded, piston completes power stroke; cylinder 
No. 2, piston completes return, or compression 
stroke. 


Ques. 172. What is vulcanized fibre? 

Ans. Paper pulp treated with sulphuric 
acid, washed and afterwards compressed into 
sheet, or rod form. 

Ques. 173. Define the word friction. 

Ans. Resistance to motion of two bodies in 
contact. 

Ques. 174. What are some of the laws gov¬ 
erning friction? 

Ans. (1) Friction varies in proportion to 
pressure on surfaces; (2) it increases with 
roughness of surfaces; (3) friction of rest is 
greater than friction of motion; (4) the amount 
of friction is independent of the area of surfaces 
in contact when pressure and speed remain con¬ 
stant; (5) friction is greater between soft bod¬ 
ies, than between hard bodies. 

Ques. 175. What are the conditions attend- 


44 


Automobile 


ing perfect lubrication of bearings and journals? 

Ans. There is a continuous film of lubricant 
running around with the journal, and sliding 
over a similar film adhering to the bearing. 
The metallic surfaces do not touch each other. 

Ques. 176. Under what conditions does the 
friction drive for power transmission show a 
high efficiency? 

Ans. Conditions where the load is constant 
and uniform. 

Ques. 177. Do these conditions exist with 
automobiles ? 

Ans. Not as a rule; but rather the contrary. 

Ques. 178. Give the names, and average 
composition of the various fuels at present 
available for automobile use. 

Ans. C = Carbon, 0 = Oxygen, H = Hy¬ 
drogen. 

Gasoline, average composition, C = 84, H = 
16. 

Benzine, average composition, C = 92, H = 8. 

Alcohol, average composition, C = 32, H = 8, 
0 = 35. 

Tar Benzol, average composition, C = 92, H 

= 8. 

Kerosene, average composition, C = 85, H = 
15. 

Motor spirit, consisting of Naphtha, Benzo¬ 
line, Benzine, average composition, C' = 85, H = 
15. 

Methyl Alcohol, consisting of Wood spirit, 


Catechism 


45 


Naphtha, average composition, C = 38, H = 12, 
0 = 50. 

Acetylene, Ethene, average composition, C = 
92, H = 8. 

Calorific value 25,000 B. t. u. 

Ques. 179. Which type of explosive motor 
uses the larger quantity of fuel per H. P. devel¬ 
oped? 

Ans. The two-cycle engine. 

Ques. 180. Give two principal reasons why 
the fuel consumption of the two-cycle engine is 
greatest. 

Ans. First: Retention of a portion of the 
exhaust charge. Second: More or less loss of a 
portion of the fresh charge. 

G 

Ques. 181. Wliat law governs the expan¬ 
sion of gases, with relation to temperature? 

Ans. All gases expand equally l/490th part 
of their volume for each degree Fahr. of their 
temperature. 

Ques. 182. What is the main cause of the 
carbon deposits on the interior walls of the 
cylinders of gasoline motors? 

Ans. Gasoline, which does not vaporize until 
it comes in contact with the hot cylinder walls. 

Ques. 183. How may the vaporization of the 
gasoline be greatly accelerated before it reaches 
the interior of the cylinder? 

Ans. By pre-heating the mixture on its way 
to the combustion chamber. 

Ques. 184. Is it possible to manufacture a 


46 


Automobile 

homogeneous gas for use in a gasoline engine 
driving a motor car? 

Ans. It may be accomplished by means of a 
gas producer carried on the car. 

Ques. 185. Describe in brief the construc¬ 
tion, and principles governing the action of a 
gas producer for automobiles. 

Ans. It consists essentially of a copper tank, 
or container located in any convenient place, as 
under the driver’s seat; which tank is filled with 
sheets of wood pulp superimposed. Each sheet 
is ^-inch thick, and drilled full of holes 1 / 4- 
inch in diameter. These sheets are separated 
from each other a slight distance. A space in 
the tank is occupied by a coil of pipe, around 
which the exhaust gases from the engine cir¬ 
culate, thus serving to heat the air which 
passes through the coil before coming in con¬ 
tact with the gasoline-saturated wood-pulp 
sheets. 

Ques. 186. How is this mixture of homoge¬ 
neous gas conveyed to the combustion cham¬ 
ber? 

Ans. By means of a valve designed for the 
purpose, by which it may be diluted to meet the 
requirements of the engine according to road 
condition, atmospheric influences, etc. 

Ques. 187. Is there any danger of an explo¬ 
sion of the gas within the tank? 

Ans. There is not, for the reason that the 
gas is not sufficiently diluted with air to render 
it explosive, 


Catechism 


47 


Ques. 188. IIow are Gasoline, Benzine and 
other explosive fuels obtained? 

Ans. They are distilled products of crude 
petroleum, the process of distillation being 
similar to that of generating steam from water. 

Ques. 189. How many different kinds of 
gasoline explosions are there? 

Ans. Two; first, the real explosion occur¬ 
ring in the cylinder of a gasoline motor when 
heat and pressure are suddenly produced by 
the combustion of the gasoline vapor; and, sec¬ 
ond, by placing an enclosed tank of gasoline over 
a fire, the heat will increase the pressure in the 
tank until it explodes, thus allowing the gaso¬ 
line to instantly vaporize and mix with the air, 
and be ignited by the flame. 

Ques. 190. Is water a good extinguisher of 
a gasoline fire? 

Ans. It is not. On the contrary, it is worse 
than useless at such times. 

Ques. 191. What, then, is the best method 
of extinguishing a gasoline fire? 

Ans. Smother the fire with fine earth, sand 
or flour, thrown on top of the burning liquid. 
A dry powder which is very good for this pur¬ 
pose can be made of common salt 15 parts, sal- 
ammoniac 15 parts, bi-carbonate of soda 20 
parts. Mix thoroughly and pass through a • 
fine sieve. ; 

Ques. 192. What should be done in case the 
gasoline takes fire at a small outlet, or leak in 
a gasoline tank? 


48 


Automobile 


Ans. Either blow, or pat the flame out. 

Ques. 193. What is the first point to be con¬ 
sidered in the design of a gasoline motor? 

Ans. The proper number of cylinders. 

Ques. 194. What single advantage attaches 
to the single cylinder motor? 

Ans. Simplicity and fewness of parts. 

Ques. 195. What advantages pertain to mul¬ 
ti-cylinder explosive motors? 

Ans. They develop more power with less 
weight, and they reduce vibrations and strains. 

Ques. 196. What form of motor will give 
correct mechanical balance, and at the same 
time reduce vibration to a considerable extent? 

Ans. The two-cylinder type, with cranks 
opposed, and cylinders in axial alignment. 

Ques. 197. What is the next best construc¬ 
tion so far as regular impulses, and uniform 
strain on the parts are concerned? 

Ans. Three cylinders, parallel and having 
the cranks at an angle of 120 degrees to each 
other. 

Ques. 198. What types of explosive motor 
combine the advantages of mechanical balance, 
and the reduction of vibration to a minimum? 

Ans. The four or six-cylinder types. 

Ques. 199. Mention a few other points to 
be considered in the selection of an explosive 
motor. 

Ans. Arrangement of working parts so as to 
be readily accessible; automatic lubrication; 
the best and most simple method of operating 


Catechism 


49 


the valves; a reliable system of ignition; proper 
diameter, and weight of flywheel; the carbu¬ 
reter should be one requiring the least atten¬ 
tion ; reduction of weight and simplicity of 
construction in all parts. 

Ques. 200. What is the best design for cyl¬ 
inders? 

Ans. The cylinder with its combustion and 
valve chambers should be integral, having no 
joints to be closed by gaskets. 

Ques. 201. What is a good average fuel con¬ 
sumption per horse power hour for a gasoline 
motor ? 

Ans. About one and two-tenths pints of 
gasoline. 

Ques. 202. What will be the effect on fuel 
consumption if the cylinders are kept too cold ? 

Ans. The expansive force of the gases is re¬ 
duced, and less power is developed by the 
motor. 

Ques. 203. What is the object of cooling the 
cylinders ? 

Ans. To prevent the lubricating oil from 
burning up. 

Ques. 204. What is a good rule for guid¬ 
ance in the matter of cooling motor cylinders? 

Ans. The hotter the cylinder with effective 
lubrication, the more power will the motor 
develop. 

Ques. 205. What rule should be observed 
when changing gear on the road? 

Ans. The motor and the car should be mov 


50 


Automobile 


ing at nearly corresponding rates of speed be¬ 
fore engaging the clutch. 

Ques. 206. What rule should govern in 
climbing a hill? 

Ans. The hill should be ascended as far as 
possible on high gear, and the change to lower 
gear be made as soon as the motor begins to 
labor hard. 

Ques. 207. What method should be pursued 
in caring for the gear case and rear live axle 
casing ? 

Ans. They should be periodically emptied of 
oil, and accumulated metal grit, then thoroughly 
washed out with kerosene, and filled with fresh 
oil. 

Ques. 208. What is implied in the term gen¬ 
erator as used in connection with automobiles? 

Ans. Any form of chemical, or mechanical 
device which is used to produce a current of 
electricity. The term also applies to the ap¬ 
paratus for generating acetylene gas for use 
in the lamps. 

Ques. 209. Name the two forms of mechan¬ 
isms used for ignition purposes? 

Ans. First: the dynamo, which is self-excit¬ 
ing by means of coils of wire wound upon mag¬ 
net limbs. Second: the magneto, having per¬ 
manent magnets instead of coils, to induce the 
current in the armature. 

Ques. 210. Which type is most generally 
used on automobiles? 


Catechism 


51 


Ans. The magneto, owing to simplicity of 
construction and low first cost. 

Ques. 211. Describe the principles of the 
magneto. 

Ans. It consists of two or more horseshoe 
magnets, the ends of which embrace the pole 
pieces between which rotates a shuttle arma¬ 
ture wound with small insulated copper wire. 
Rotation of this armature disturbs the lines of 
magnetic force, which in turn sets up induced 
currents in the armature. 

Ques. 212. What kind of electric current is 
thus produced ? 

Ans. Alternating; but it is converted into 
direct current by means of the commutator on 
the armature shaft. 

Ques. 213. What is the function of the gov¬ 
ernor, as applied to explosive motors? 

Ans. To control the speed, which may be 
done in three ways, as follows: throttling the 
supply of mixture; retarding ignition; prevent¬ 
ing the exhaust valve from opening. 

Ques. 214. May graphite be used as a lubri¬ 
cant for cylinders of explosive motors? 

Ans. Only to a limited extent. 

H 

Ques. 215. What is meant by the term heat 
value of fuels? 

Ans. The quantity of heat generated, or that 
may be generated by the complete combustion 
of the fuel. 


52 


Automobile 


Ques. 216. In what three ways may loss of 
heat result? 

Ans. By convection; by conduction and by 
radiation. 

Ques. 217. Which one of these three is the 
principal factor in heat loss in explosive mo¬ 
tors? 

Ans. Convection; owing to the violent mo¬ 
tion of the ignited gas. 

Ques. 218. Give the formula for ascertain¬ 
ing the horse power of an explosive motor. 

Ans. First ascertain the number of power 
strokes per minute, then 

PLAN 

H. P. =-in which 

33000 

H. P. = Horse power. 

P = Mean effective pressure. 

L = Length of stroke in feet. 

A = Area of piston in sq. in. 

N = Number of power strokes per minute. 

Ques. 219. What is the best construction for 
hubs, and wheels of automobiles? 

Ans. Ball and roller bearings, the hubs to 
be accurately machined from steel castings or 
die forgings. 

I 

Ques. 220. What two objects must be at¬ 
tained in order to gain the highest efficiency in 
operating an explosive motor? 



Catechism 


53 

Ans. First, a correct mixture of gasoline and 
air; and second, ignition of this mixture at the 
proper time. 

Ques. 221. What form of ignition is the 
most practical for automobile service? 

Ans. Electric, either by the primary method 
or the secondary method. 

Ques. 222. How, are these methods otherwise 
designated ? 

Ans. Low tension, and high tension. 

Ques. 223. In common parlance what addi¬ 
tional names are given to these two systems ? 

Ans. Low tension is termed, the make and 
break system, while high tension is called the 
jump spark system of ignition. 

Ques. 224. What is the basic principle of in¬ 
duction in electrical action? 

Ans. If a certain body has electrical or mag¬ 
netic properties, it will call forth or produce 
similar properties in a neighboring body with¬ 
out direct contact. 

Ques. 225. What is the nature of an elec¬ 
trical current that is produced by an induction 
coil? 

Ans. It has a high electro motive force or 
voltage. 

Ques. 226. When should the ignition always 
be retarded? 

Ans. Just before the car is started. 

Ques. 227. When should the ignition be ad¬ 
vanced ? 


54 


Automobile 


Ans. After the motor has attained a fair 
rate of speed. 

Ques. 228. What is a good rule to remem¬ 
ber regarding the handling of the ignition? 

Ans. Greater motor speed requires an early 
ignition, but greater power calls for late, or re¬ 
tarded ignition. 

Ques. 229. Describe some of the main 
troubles that occur with ignition systems? 

Ans. Loose contact screws; vibrator im¬ 
properly adjusted; faulty insulation of wiring; 
corroded battery terminals. 

Ques. 230. What is the function of an In¬ 
dicator ? 

Ans. By means of the indicator it is possible 
to obtain a card or diagram showing the action 
of the exploded gas upon the piston within the 
cylinder. 

Ques. 231. Of what use are such diagrams? 

Ans. They show whether the ignition occurs 
at the proper moment; also if release or exhaust 
is properly timed. The horse power developed 
by the motor may also be computed from an in¬ 
dicator diagram. 

Ques. 231a. Define the meaning of inertia? 

Ans. That property of a body by which it 
tends to continue in the state of rest, or mo¬ 
tion in which it may be placed, until acted upon 
by some other force. 

Ques. 231b. What are some of the prelimi¬ 
naries to be observed before starting a car? 

Ans. Retard the spark as far as possible. 


Catechism 


55 

Open main gasoline valve at tank. Set throttle 
about one quarter open. Close switch and in¬ 
sert safety plug. Turn on oil feed in lubricating 
system. Open compression relief cocks if there 
are any. Prime carbureter by depressing the 
float or otherwise. Engage starting crank, 
and pull upwards smartly against the com¬ 
pression. The motor should then start; but if 
it does not, turn the crank until the next com¬ 
pression stroke, and again pull up smartly. 

J 

Ques. 232. What disadvantage attends 
water-jackets that are cast integral with the 
cylinders ? 

Ans. They are hard to clean when scale de¬ 
posits accumulate in them. 

Ques. 233. What other form of water-jacket 
is in use on small engines? 

Ans. Jackets made of heavy sheet copper, 
which may be removed when they need clean¬ 
ing. 

Ques. 234. What should be the ratio of the 
water-jacket space around the cylinder, to the 
bore of the cylinder? 

Ans. Not less that one eighth of the bore, 
and the space surrounding the head combustion 
chamber should be not less than one sixth of 
the cylinder bore. 

Ques. 235. At what temperature should the 
jacket water be kept in order to attain the 
greatest degree of fuel economy? 


56 


Automobile 


Ans. Slightly below the boiling point (212°). 

Ques. 236. What is the function of a uni¬ 
versal joint? 

Ans. A universal joint is used on some types 
of automobiles in order to allow the rear wheels, 
and axle to accommodate themselves to the in¬ 
equalities of the road surface. 

K 

Ques. 237. Is kerosene available as a fuel 
for explosive motors? 

Ans. It is to some extent. 

Ques. 238. What is the specific gravity of 
kerosene? 

Ans. It varies from 0.78 to 0.82, and it has 
a vapor flashing point at 120° to 125° F. 

Ques. 239. What is the ignition point of 
kerosene ? 

Ans. 135° F; and it boils at 400° F. 

Ques. 240. What volume of air is required 
for the combustion of one cubic foot of the 
vapor of kerosene? 

Ans. 76 cubic feet of air to 1 cu. ft. of vapor. 

Ques. 241. What is the heat value of one 
pound of kerosene ? 

Ans. 22,000 heat units. 

Ques. 242. To what other uses may kerosene 
be put in connection with automobile operation ? 

Ans. It is a good cleansing agent. If in¬ 
jected into the motor cylinders and allowed to 
' remain over night it will remove all deposits 
from the piston heads and cylinder walls. 


Catechism 


• 57 

Ques. 243. If a knocking or pounding is 
heard in the motor while running what does it 
indicate ? 

Ans. It is an indication that something is 
wrong with the machine. 

Ques. 244. What kind of a sound is pro¬ 
duced by premature ignition ? 

Ans. A deep, heavy pound. 

Ques. 245. Mention some other causes of 
knocking and pounding? 

Ans. Badly worn, or broken piston rings. 
Improper valve seating. A badly worn piston. 
Piston striking a projecting point in the com¬ 
bustion chamber. A loose wrist pin. A loose 
journal box cap, or lock nut. A broken spoke, 
or web in the fly-wheel. Fly-wheel loose on its 
shaft. ‘Explosions during the exhaust, or the 
admission stroke, due to mis-fire. Ignition un¬ 
duly advanced. Crank pin may not be at right 
angles to the connecting rod. The chain may 
be loose, and jump one of the sprocket teeth. 
Bearings at either end of connecting rod may 
be too loose. 

Ques. 246. Where are knuckle joints used? 

Ans. For connections in Steering Mechan¬ 
ism. 

L 

Ques. 247. What care should be given the 
acetylene lamps of an automobile? 

Ans. Wires should be passed through the 
gas, and air aperatures at intervals in order to 


58 


Automobile 


keep them clear. The burners should be un¬ 
screwed occasionally and blown through, and 
the interior of the burner body be scraped 
clean of deposit. The lenses also should be kept 
brightly polished. 

Ques. 248. What is a good solution for clean¬ 
ing the lens Mirrors! 

Ans. Equal parts of alcohol and water. De¬ 
natured alcohol is good for the purpose also. 

Ques. 249. What should be done with the 
condenser when used in connection with the 
lighting system? 

Ans. It should be located close to the lamps 
where it will catch all the condensation from 
the gas passing to the burners. It should be 
emptied at intervals, and all mud and other 
sediment cleaned out. 

Ques. 250. Mention two defects that are 
liable to cause serious leakage of current? 

Ans. Moisture in the mica insulation of the 
electrode; second, a bridge of carbon. Remedy: 
dry out insulation thoroughly, and clean lower 
end with a brush, and a little gasoline. 

Ques. 251. Wliat is a common cause of leak¬ 
age of gasoline? 

Ans. A very small hole in the float of the 
carbureter will cause it to flood. 

Ques. 252. How may it be found? 

Ans. By putting the float into boiling water, 
and watching for bubbles. 

Ques. 253. How may leaky joints in gaso¬ 
line, or water pipes be made tight temporarily? 


Catechism 


59 


Ans. By means of coarse linen, or canvas 
covered with a paste of litharge and glycerine, 
which in turn should be covered with adhesive 
tape. 

Ques. 254. Mention a few peculiar places in 
which loose connections are liable to oceur in the 
ignition system? 

Ans. A platinum tip may get free from its 
carrying screw; a lead lug may break inside a 
storage battery cell; a copper wire may break 
inside its unbroken cover. 

Ques. 255. What is absolutely essential to 
ensure easy running, and the reduction of fric¬ 
tion to a minimum? 

Ans. To see that all rubbing surfaces are 
supplied with a sufficient quantity of the kind 
of lubricating oil adapted to the conditions. 

Ques. 256. What qualities should the oil 
used in motor cylinders possess ? 

Ans. It should have a flashing point of not 
less than 500° F, and a fire test of at least 600° 
F, together with a specific gravity of 25.8. 

Ques. 257. Is graphite a good lubricant to 
use on automobiles? 

Ans. It is mainly useful for plain bearings, 
and chains. It may also be used to advantage in 
the cylinders, if fed in small quantities, and uni¬ 
formly. 

Ques. 258. What is the chief danger occur¬ 
ring from the use of graphite in the cylinders ? 

Ans. Clogging the valves. 


60 


Automobile 


Ques. 259. Describe the operation of the 
splash system of lubrication ? 

Ans. The oil flows by gravity from a tank 
into the crank case which is air tight. From 
there it is splashed over the piston, and bear¬ 
ings. 

Ques. 260. How often should this oil be re¬ 
newed ? 

Ans. Every 100 miles run on small motors, 
and every 75 miles on large ones. 

Ques. 261. Describe the force feed system of 
lubrication? 

Ans. The oil is forced by a power driven oil 
pump through adjustable conduits to the vari¬ 
ous bearings, in such quantities as are needed. 

Ques. 262. How does the weather affect the 
lubrication of a motor? 

Ans. In cold weather the oil will thicken up, 
thus requiring a different adjustment of lubri¬ 
cators from that found suitable in warm 
weather. 

Ques. 263. What precautions should be ob¬ 
served regarding oil pipes and conduits? 

Ans. They should be kept thoroughly clear 
and free from deposits, in order that the oil may 
have an unobstructed passage. 

Ques. 264. How are the differential, and 
change speed gears lubricated? 

Ans. Gear boxes should be kept a little less 
than half full of oil, which should be changed 
at periodic intervals, and the gears cleaned. 


Catechism 


61 


Ques. 265. What attention should be given 
the wheels, in the way of lubrication ? 

Ans. They should be cleaned, and packed 
with grease once or twice a season. 

Ques. 266. How are the latest designs lubri¬ 
cated? 

Ans. Through the shaft or axle from the 
gear box. 

Ques. 267. On shaft driven cars when the 
shaft runs through a sleeve, what is required ? 

Ans. The shaft requires to be daily lubri¬ 
cated. 

M 

Ques. 268. When it becomes necessary to re¬ 
move a Magneto for repairs, what should be 
done ? 

Ans. See that all separable parts are prop¬ 
erly marked, in order to facilitate re-assem¬ 
bling. 

Ques. 269. What two important elements 
are to be considered in the design of a mani¬ 
fold? 

Ans. First, length, which in a single cyl¬ 
inder motor should be four times the stroke; 
Second, Area, which should equal one-quarter 
the area of the piston. 

Ques. 270. What other important point is 
to be considered in designing a manifold for a 
Multi-cylinder Motor? 

Ans. The delivery of an equal weight of the 
mixture to each of the cylinders. 


62 


Automobile 


Ques. 271. Describe the action of a two port 
motor? 

Ans. The first stroke of the piston produces 
a vacuum in the crank case, and the mixture 
rushes in through the check valve in motor 
case. The second stroke compresses the mix¬ 
ture, and when the inlet port is uncovered the 
mixture surges into the cylinder. The third 
stroke compresses the mixture entrapped in the 
cylinder, as both ports are then covered by the 
piston, and at the proper moment the mixture is 
ignited. 

N 

Ques. 272. Describe the construction of a 
needle valve? 

Ans. It has a cone point, and a very fine 
thread on the stem. 

Ques. 273. Describe the composition of a 
non-freezing solution for use in cooling radi¬ 
ators in cold weather? 

Ans. To 15 lbs. chloride of calcium add 1 
gallon of water. After the solution has be¬ 
come saturated add 2 to 3 gals, more of water; 
and a little lime to neutralize acidity. This 
solution freezes at 15° below zero, F. 

Ques. 274. What will be the result if the 
water freezes in the water-jackets? 

Ans. The jackets will burst unless they are 
made of copper. 

Ques. 275. If the car is to be kept in a cold 
building when not in use, what should be done ? 


Catechism 


63 


Ans. The water should be completely drawn 
off from the jackets. 

Ques. 276. When the car is to left standing 
outside for an hour or so in cold weather, what 
should be done? 

Ans. The motor and radiator may be covered 
with cloths or laprobes, thus retaining a por¬ 
tion of the heat. 

Ques 277. How is gasoline affected by cold? 

Ans. It does not vaporize so readily, and it 
is necessary to supply extra heat to the carbu¬ 
reter. 

Ques. 278. Should fire ever be used directly 
for warming the carbureter, or other parts of 
the motor? 

Ans. It should not. Hot water may be used 
provided none is allowed to get into the gaso¬ 
line tank. Another method is to wring cloths 
out of hot water and apply them. 

0 

Ques. 279. Can oil be used as a cooling 
medium for explosive motors? 

Ans. It can be used most effectively in the 
summer time, as it is then more easily cir¬ 
culated through the radiator. 

Ques. 280. What kind of oil is used for this 
purpose ? 

Ans. Any common grade of machine oil. 

Ques. 281. What is meant by an offset crank 
shaft ? 

Ans. A crank shaft, whose center is not ex- 


64 


Automobile 


actly in line with the centers of the cylinders, 
but is set slightly to one side. 

Ques. 282. What is the object sought in this 
type of construction ? 

Ans. To have the connecting rod in the exact 
vertical position when maximum compression, 
ignition, and pressure occur. 

Ques. 283. What advantage is gained 
thereby ? 

Ans. It is claimed that the force of the ex¬ 
plosion will then come on the connecting rod 
endwise, and the piston will not be unduly 
pressed against the cylinder walls. 

Ques. 284. In timing the valves of an off¬ 
set crank shaft engine what additional factor 
must be taken into account? 

Ans. The inclination of the axis of the con¬ 
necting rod. 

Ques. 285. Describe the action of the two 
cylinder opposed motor when in operation? 

Ans. During one-half revolution of the 
crank shaft, one cylinder is compressing while 
the other is exhausting. During the next half 
revolution, the first cylinder will be firing, and 
the second will be drawing in its charge. Dur¬ 
ing the next half turn, the first cylinder will 
be exhausting, and the second compressing, and 
during the next half turn, the first cylinder will 
draw its charge, while the second is firing, thus 
giving a power impulse in every revolution of 
the crank shaft. 


Catechism 


65 


Ques. 286. What is the main cause of over¬ 
heating of cylinders of explosive motors'? 

Ans. Too much gasoline; too rich a mixture. 

Ques. 287. Mention some other causes of 
overheating ? 

Ans. Insufficient cylinder lubrication. Wear 
of cams, tappets and valve stems. Deposit of 
a thin film of scale inside the circulating pipe, 
and radiator. 

Ques. 288. What is the immediate effect of 
overheating ? 

Ans. To burn up the oil in the cylinders and 
crank case. The motor will begin to pound, and 
the cooling water to steam. 

Ques. 289. What other serious result usually 
follows overheatings? 

Ans. The motor will gradually slow down 
and finally stop, with the lubricating oil burnt 
up, and the pistons expanded and gripping the 
cylinders. 

Ques. 290. What should be done when 
symptoms of overheating manifest themselves? 

Ans. The motor should be stopped at once, 
and kerosene freely injected into the cylinders, 
while the engine is turned by hand to free the 
piston rings. Then allow the parts to cool. 

Ques. 291. Should cold water be poured over 
the outside of the cylinder jackets to cool them ? 

Ans. No, because there is danger of crack¬ 
ing them by so doing. 

Ques. 292. Give a simple method of testing 
for an overheated motor? 


66 


Automobile 


Ans. Let a few drops of water fall on the 
head of the cylinder. If it sizzles for a few 
moments the overheating is not bad, but if 
the water at once turns into steam the case is 
serious. 

Ques. 293. What else may be done to cool 
the motor? 

Ans. Detach the spark plugs, and turn the 
starting crank slowly. This will draw cold 
air into the cylinders and thus cool them in¬ 
side. 


P 

Ques. 294. Describe in brief the various 
kinds of packing used on explosive motors? 

Ans. Asbestos, made in the form of sheets, 
also in the form of woven cloth, and as string 
or rope. Rubber, in sheets either plain, or with 
alternate layers of canvas and rubber. Rub- 
berbestos, and vulcabestos, made of rubber im¬ 
pregnated with rubber and afterwards vul¬ 
canized. 

Ques. 295. Is paper a safe material to use 
for shims, of any sort ? 

Ans. It is not, as it is not reliable where 
pressures are high, and intermittent. If used 
at all it should be saturated with shellac, and 
squeezed in place before the shellac dries. 

Ques. 296. Give a list of extra parts that 
should be carried on a car? 

Ans. Bolts and nuts; chain links; dry bat¬ 
tery cells; extra valves; inner tube; insulated 


Catechism 


67 


wire; packing; spark plugs; split pins; sticky 
tape ; valve springs; washers. 

Ques. 297. Is there any advantage gained 
by mixing picric acid with gasoline for use in 
explosive motors? 

Ans. An increase of 20 per cent in motor 
efficiency is claimed for the picric-gasoline mix¬ 
ture. 

Ques. 298. Describe the construction of 
a piston used in a gasoline engine? 

Ans. It is of the single acting, or trunk 
type, made of cast iron, and turned to a good 
working fit in the cylinder. Near the upper 
end three or four grooves are cut entirely 
around its outer circumference; and in these 
grooves the packing rings are sprung. 

Ques. 299. What is meant by piston dis¬ 
placement ? 

Ans. The volume swept out by the piston. 
It equals area of piston multiplied by length 
of stroke. 

Ques. 300. What rule should govern the 
length of a piston when designing one? 

Ans. For vertical cylinder, piston length 
should not be less than its diameter; for hori¬ 
zontal cylinder, piston length should be never 
less than one and one-third diameters. 

Ques. 301. What law governs the velocity 
or speed of the piston in an explosive motor ? 

Ans. The velocity of the piston must be con¬ 
siderably less than the rate of combustion of 


68 


Automobile 


the explosive mixture, in order that the motor 
may develop power. 

Ques. 302. What is the estimated maximum 
speed limit, or piston velocity? 

Ans. Between 14 and 16 feet per second. 

Ques. 303. What is the best material for 
the contact points of the vibrator of an induc¬ 
tion coil? 

Ans. Platinum. 

Ques. 304. How may the polarity of elec¬ 
tric terminals be ascertained? 

Ans. Place the ends of the wires on opposite 
ends of a piece of moistened litmus paper. The 
negative pole will turn the paper red. 

Ques. 305. Is porcelain a good material for 
insulation purposes? 

Ans. It has higher insulative properties than 
lava, or mica, but it is more liable to break 
from too sudden change of temperature. 

Ques. 306. What is the most obvious cause 
of pounding in an explosive motor ? 

Ans. The spark, or ignition too far ad¬ 
vanced. 

Ques. 307. Name some of the principal 
causes of preignition ? 

Ans. High compression; carbon or dirt on 
the piston head; sharp corners, and projections 
on inside of combustion chamber for soot or 
carbon to accumulate on. 

Ques. 308. What is the best lubricant for a 
pump? 

Ans. Grease, and it should be stiff enough to 


Catechism 


69 


prevent its being washed away by the water, 
and carried into the radiator. 

Ques. 309. What law governs the action of 
a centrifugal pump? 

Ans. The height of the lift depends upon 
the tangential force. 

Ques. 310. What should be the minimum 
peripheral velocity of the pump wheel? 

Ans. 500 feet per minute. 

Ques. 311. What is a good indication that 
the pump is not properly working? 

Ans. Steam issuing from the relief or out¬ 
let of the water circulating system. 

Ques. 312. How may the pump be tested be¬ 
fore starting? 

Ans. Run the motor for a few minutes. If 
the temperature of the pipes is uniform, the 
circulation is all right. 

R 

Ques. 313. What rule should govern in the 
design of a radiator? 

Ans. That the maximum surface should be 
exposed to the air, and the greatest freedom 
afforded for circulation of the cooling medium. 

Ques. 314. What advantages attach to the 
circular tube for a radiator? 

Ans. Minimum resistance offered to flow of 
liquid. Greatest strength for given weight. 
Minimum weight of tube for given cubic con¬ 
tent of liquid. 


70 


Automobile 


Ques. 315. What is the disadvantage of the 
circular tube radiator? 

Ans. Minimum radiating surface presented. 

Ques. 316. What can be said in favor of the 
cellular type of radiators ? 

Ans. They are more easily cleaned of mud 
than any other type. 

Ques. 317. What disadvantage attaches to 
the honey-comb radiator? 

Ans. The large number of joints is likely 
to be a cause of leakage. They are also more 
difficult to repair on the road, than the tubular 
type with radiating pins, or discs. 

Ques. 318. How many square feet of radiat¬ 
ing surface per horse power is required in the 
thermo-siphon, or natural water circulation 
system of cooling? 

Ans. About 5 sq. ft. per horse power de¬ 
veloped. 

Ques. 319. What is the most common cause 
of a radiator cap sticking ? 

Ans. Expansion of the threaded ring on 
which it screws. This is caused by extreme 
heat, and the cap will pnscrew easily when 
cold. 

Ques. 320. When, therefore, is the best time 
to fill a radiator? 

Ans. Before beginning the run. 

Ques. 321. In case it becomes necessary to 
unscrew a radiator cap when hot what should 
be done? 


Catechism 


71 


Ans. Cool the base of the ring under the cap 
but do not cool the cap itself. 

Ques. 322. In regard to reversing of a car, 
what should the driver always remember ? 

Ans. The reverse gear of a sliding change 
gear should never be engaged until the car has 
been brought to a full stop. 

Ques. 323. What is a rheostat ? 

Ans. A device for regulating the flow of cur¬ 
rent in a closed electrical circuit. 

Ques. 324. How is this accomplished with a 
rheostat ? 

Ans. By introducing a series of graduated 
resistances into the circuit. 

Ques. 325. What precautions should be ob¬ 
served regarding all rubber supplies? 

Ans. They should be kept from contact with 
oil, kerosene, gasoline or grease. 

Ques. 326. What is the maximum temper¬ 
ature to which vulcanized rubber should be ex¬ 
posed? 

Ans. 130 degrees F. 

Ques. 327. How may a good rubber cement 
be made. Give formula? 

Ans. 1 lb. caoutchouc; 1 gal. coal tar 
naphtha; 20 lbs. shellac. Heat gently, and 
pour on metal plates to solidify. When needed 
melt. 

Ques. 328. Give a formula for gutta-percha 
cement? 

Ans. Two parts gutta-percha to one part 


72 


Automobile 


common pitch. Melt together, and stir well 
while melting, after which pour into cold water. 

Ques. 329. What is included in the complete 
running gear of an automobile? 

Ans. The frame, springs, wheels, motor, 
speed change gear, axles and all machinery ex¬ 
cept the body. 

Ques. 000. What is the running gear usually 
called? 

Ans. The chassis, a French word pronounced 
chassee. 

S 

Ques. 330. How may a scratched cylinder 
be temporarily repaired ? 

Ans. By filling the scratches with silver 
solder, and scraping flush with the bore. If 
the scratches are not too deep the cylinder can 
be rebored, and a new set of piston rings put 
in. 

Ques. 331. What is the limit to increase of 
bore for a cylinder ? 

Ans. About one-sixteenth of an inch. 

Ques. 332. What is one of the most useful 
tools to be carried on a car? 

Ans. A good screw-driver. 

Ques. 333. Define the secondary current of 
an ignition system? 

Ans. The current that is induced in the fine 
wire of the induction coil by the sudden reversal 
of the magnetism of the core, which latter is 


Catechism 


73 


caused by the sudden interruption of the pri¬ 
mary current. 

Ques. 334. What are some of the causes of 
self-firing of an explosive motor? 

Ans. An insufficient supply of lubricating 
oil, thereby causing the cylinders to overheat; 
the presence of soot in combustion chamber; 
water circulation working badly, causing the 
motor to overheat. Self-firing implies that the 
motor continues to run after the ignition cur¬ 
rent is switched off. 

Ques. 335. What are the principal advan¬ 
tages connected with the shaft drive? 

Ans. Absence of noise; the ease with which 
all parts may be housed in oil; protection from 
dust. 

Ques. 336. Mention some of the disadvan¬ 
tages attached to the shaft drive ? 

Ans. It is difficult to repair; it is compli¬ 
cated ; it has considerable end thrust. 

Ques. 337. How may aluminum be cleaned? 

Ans. By washing the dirty surface with 
hyposulphate of soda; then rinse with water, 
and dry. 

Ques. 338. What is the best lubricant for 
the cupped leather washer of the tire pump 
piston ? 

Ans. Vaseline, as it clings to the leather. 

Ques. 339. Upon what does the efficiency 
of the motor, to a large extent depend? 

Ans. Proper regulation of the sparking de¬ 


vice. 


74 


Automobile 


Ques. 340. What will result if the spark 
plugs are allowed to become dirty? 

Ans. Mis-firing. 

Ques. 341. What is the proper method of 
cleaning a spark plug? 

Ans. Wash the points of the plug with a 50 
per cent solution of muriatic acid applied with 
a tooth brush. 

Ques. 342. What is the function of the 
speedometer ? 

Ans. To register the speed of the car, and 
the distance traveled. 

Ques. 343. How is the speedometer driven? 

Ans. By means of a large gear attached to 
the hub of the wheel, which meshes into a small 
gear at the end of a flexible revolving cable 
which in turn drives the instrument. 

Ques. 344. Are short springs desirable in an 
automobile ? 

Ans. They are not, for the reason that they 
are more liable to break, than longer springs 
are. 

Ques. 345. What important factor must be 
considered in the design of springs? 

Ans. The elastic limit with regard to the 
dead, and maximum load to be carried by the 
car. 

Ques. 346. What care can be given to 
springs tending to prolong their life? 

Ans. The surfaces of the leaves may be 
lubricated at intervals, also the toggles and 
links. 


Catechism 


75 


Ques. 347. What should be done with the 
steering gear at frequent intervals? 

Ans. It should be cleaned, and well oiled. 

Ques. 348. What advantages are possessed 
by steam motors as compared with explosive 
motors ? 

Ans. Speed variations are obtained with¬ 
out the shifting of gears; they will start with¬ 
out cranking; they are noiseless, and are better 
for climbing hills. 

Ques. 349. Name the principal parts of a 
steam motor for driving an automobile ? 

Ans. The boiler, the steam engine, the con¬ 
denser, the water pump, gasoline pump and the 
pilot lamp. 

Ques. 350. What type of boiler is available 
for automobile service? 

Ans. The water tube type, only, and it 
should be of light construction and yet able to 
withstand very high pressures. 

Ques. 351. What kind of fuel is generally 
used under the boiler? 

Ans. Gasoline, which is passed under pres¬ 
sure through a vaporizer, and thence to the 
burner where it mixes with the air, and burns. 

Ques. 352. How is the boiler supplied with 
water ? 

Ans. From a small tank or reservoir the 
water flows to the feed pump, which forces it, 
first through the feed water heater located in 
the exhaust pipe leading to the condenser, 


76 


Automobile 


where it absorbs considerable heat from the 
exhaust steam. From there into the boiler. 

Ques. 353. What is the function of the pilot 
light in connection with a steam motor? 

Ans. It is twofold; first for heating the 
vaporizer, and second for lighting the burner, 
as the fuel is generally supplied only intermit¬ 
tently to the burner, depending upon the steam 
pressure, which automatically regulates it. 

Ques. 354. Wherein does the steam engine 
differ from the gasoline, or explosive engine 
used on automobiles ? 

Ans. A steam engine exerts power at each 
stroke of the piston. With the explosive en¬ 
gine, power is exerted only at every fourth 
stroke, or at best every alternate stroke. 

Ques. 355. What type of steam engines are 
in use on automobiles? 

Ans. Two cylinders, with cranks set at 90 
degrees to each other. The engines have re¬ 
versing valve gear, and may be either simple or 
compound. 

Ques. 356. Explain what is meant by a 
simple engine? 

Ans. A simple engine is one in which the 
steam having done its work in the cylinder is 
permitted to pass into the exhaust pipe, either 
to the atmosphere, or to a condenser. 

Ques. 357. Explain the principles of the 
compound engine? 

Ans. A compound engine consists of never 
less than two cylinders, and in many cases 


Catechism 


77 


more. In the two cylinder compound, such as 
are used on steam automobiles, one of the cyl¬ 
inders is called the high pressure, and the other 
the low pressure cylinder. Steam passes from 
the boiler first to the high pressure cylinder in 
which it does work, and from thence it passes 
to the low pressure cylinder which is always of 
larger bore than the high pressure. The steam 
now acts against the low pressure piston, doing 
work, and is then allowed to exhaust either into 
the atmosphere, or into a condenser. 

Ques. 358. What types of valve gear are in 
general use on steam automobiles? 

Ans. There are two—the Stephenson link 
motion, and the Joy valve gear. 

Ques. 359. What are the duties of the 
chauffeur after the day’s run is finished, and 
the car is run into the garage ? 

Ans. First, shut the battery switch, and re¬ 
move the plug; close all oil cups and lubri¬ 
cators; shut off the gasoline if there is no float 
in the carbureter; if in winter and the car is 
to stand in a cold place, drain off the water 
from circulating system; wipe off motor, and 
see that it is ready for the next run; when 
cleaning the motor examine all bolts and nuts, 
and all other points needing adjustment; note 
the condition of journals, and bearings, and 
if any are unduly hot, ascertain the cause of the 
heating. 

Ques. 360. Give a list of supplies that will 
be found very useful to carry on a long trip? 


78 


Automobile 


Ans. Asbestos, bolts and nuts, copper wire, 
emery cloth, emery powder, funnel, extra can 
of gasoline, gaskets, iron wire, machine screws, 
rope (small, strong), rubber pail, adhesive tape, 
washers. 

Ques. 361. What is the advantage of a three 
point suspension for automobile frames? 

Ans. Freedom of the power plant from 
stress, all parts remaining in perfect alignment. 

T 

Ques. 362. What is a tachometer? 

Ans. An instrument for indicating the num¬ 
ber of revolutions made by a shaft in a unit of 
time—usually one minute. 

Ques. 363. How is the capacity in gallons of 
a cylindrical tank ascertained? 

Ans. Multiply the area of the cross section 
in square inches by length of tank in inches, 
and divide by 231. 

Ques. 364. What precautions should be ob¬ 
served regarding gasoline tanks ? 

Ans. Never put water into the tank. Al¬ 
ways use a wire gauze-lined funnel. If the 
screwed cap for the inlet gets lost, get a new 
one; don’t use a cork; small bits of the cork are 
liable to get into the carbureter. 

Ques. 365. How should ignition batteries be 
tested? 

Ans. Get a 4 or 6 volt one-ampere incan¬ 
descent lamp, and after cutting the battery out 
of the charging circuit, put the lamp in the bat- 


Catechism 


79 


tery circuit for a few seconds only. If the bat¬ 
tery is fully charged the lamp will give out a 
brilliant light. 

Ques. 366. What is the difference between a 
single tube, and a double tube tire ? 

Ans. In a single tube tire the inner, or air 
tube is vulcanized to the outer tube. In a 
double tube they are separately attached to the 
rim of the wheel, and are not in contact, except 
when the inner tube is inflated. 

Ques. 367. What advantage has the single, 
over the double tube tire in the matter of re¬ 
pairs ? 

Ans. A puncture through the tread of a 
single tube tire may be repaired by using rivet 
shaped rubber patches. With a double tube 
tire it is necessary to remove the casing from 
the rim of the wheel, in order to cement suitable 
patches upon the inner tube. 

Ques. 368. What is implied in the term 
tonneau used in connection with automobiles? 

Ans. The rear seats of a car. 

Ques. 369. Describe in a general way a 
touring car? 

Ans. The rear seats are non-removable; it 
has a carrying capacity of 5 to 6 persons; the 
motor ranging from 16 to 24 horse power; and 
the running radius is from 50 to 75 miles on 
one charge of gasoline and water. 

Ques. 370. Mention a list of touring sup¬ 
plies to be carried in addition to those already 
enumerated ? 


80 


Automobile 


Ans. Acetylene (carbide of calcium), cyl¬ 
inder oil, goggles, lap robe, lamp oil, lubricating 
oil, storm apron, tire bandage, waste, whiskey 
(for medical use only). 

Ques. 371. What is the function of the tor¬ 
sion rod? 

Ans. To prevent the twisting strain imposed 
by the shaft from reaching to, and affecting the 
frame at the rear end. 

Ques. 372. What is meant by the traction of 
the driving wheels? 

Ans. The push in pounds exerted by the 
rims of the wheels against the ground, multi¬ 
plied by speed of car in miles per hour. 

Ques. 373. What is the estimated efficiency 
of the various forms of power transmission? 

Ans. Single chain with direct drive, 85 per 
cent; two chain drive from motor to speed 
change gear, thence to rear axle, 75 per cent; 
double chain with right angle drive, 70 per 
cent; longitudinal shaft drive, universal joints, 
"and bevel differential, 65 per cent. 

Ques. 374. Should a motor be slowed down 
by throttling the charge? 

Ans. Not until the ignition has been retarded 
as far as possible. 

Ques. 375. Is copper tubing serviceable for 
piping the gas to the lamp burners? 

Ans. It is used to a large extent, but it is 
liable to erosion by the gas. Standard % in. 
gas pipe is better, and lasts longer. 


Catechism 


81 


U 

Ques. 376. What is meant by the expression 
unit of heat? 

Ans. A heat unit (B. t. u.) is the quantity 
of heat required to raise the temperature of one 
pound of water one degree, or from 39° to 40° 
F. The heat unit is used for calculating the 
quantity of heat contained in any form, and 
known weight of matter. 

Ques. 377. How may the number of heat 
units in a given number of pounds of gasoline be 
ascertained? 

Ans. By the amount of energy, or work 
(expressed in horse power) developed by the 
complete combustion, explosion, and expansion 
of the given weight of gasoline, assuming that 
none is lost. 

Ques. 378. What is the mechanical equiva¬ 
lent of heat, or rather of one heat unit ? 

Ans. 778 foot pounds. 

Ques. 379. What is a foot pound? 

Ans. One pound weight raised one foot 
high. 

Ques. 380. How is horse power calculated 
from the above mentioned data? 

Ans. One H. P. equals 33,000 lbs. raised one 
foot high in one minute of time. One heat unit 
equals 778 foot lbs., or 778^-33000 = about 
1/43 of a horse power. 


82 


Automobile 


V 

Ques. 381 What care should be given the 
valves of an explosive motor? 

Ans. They should be ground in at frequent 
intervals, using fine emery and oil, then finish 
with tripoli and water. Badly pitted valves 
should be replaced by new ones. 

Ques. 382. What is liable to result from 
an exhaust valve sticking? 

Ans. The motor may suddenly stop. 

Ques. 383. What should be done in such a 
case? 

Ans. The valve should be removed, and the 
stem be cleaned and scraped, and if it is warped 
it should be straightened. If the valve still 
leaks it should be ground to its seat. 

Ques. 384. What is the function of the aux¬ 
iliary air valve with the float feed carbureter? 

Ans. To provide a larger air inlet for low 
speeds, than for high speeds. 

Ques 385. How should the exhaust valve be 
timed? 

Ans. So as to open slightly before the be¬ 
ginning of the inward stroke, and close at the 
end of the same stroke. The next inward stroke 
is the compression stroke when both valves 
should be closed. 

Ques. 386. Where is the butterfly valve 
used? 

Ans. In the admission pipe between the car- 


Catechism 


83 

bureter and the admission valve of the motor. 

Ques. 387. What is its function? 

Ans. To regulate, or throttle the supply of 
explosive mixture to the motor. 

Ques. 388. What is the function of the 
swing-check valve ? 

Ans. It is attached to the air inlet opening 
of the carbureter to prevent leakage of the mix¬ 
ture, when suction operated admission valves 
are used. 

Ques. 389. Where is the globe valve gen¬ 
erally used ? 

Ans. In the pipe leading from gasoline tank 
to carbureter. By it the supply of gasoline may 
be entirely shut off. 

Ques. 390. What objections are there to an 
excessive clearance between the valve lifters 
and valves? 

Ans. (1) Vertical hammering, causing un> 
necessary noise; (2) sidewise pressure im¬ 
posed on the valve lifters by the cams. 

Ques. 391. About what clearance should be 
allowed for expansion of valve stems? 

Ans. The thickness of a business card. 

Ques. 392. What is meant by “lead” of 
valves ? 

Ans. Adjustment of the timing so that the 
valves open slightly before the completion of 
the particular part of the cycle they are in¬ 
tended to perform. 

Ques. 393. What general rule governs the 
giving of “lead” to valves? 


84 


Automobile 


Ans. The higher the speed of the motor, the 
greater the necessity for lead. 

Qnes. 394. What objections attend the use 
of vaporizers in connection with carbureters? 

Ans. They are wasteful of gasoline, and re¬ 
quire frequent adjustment. They permit an ex¬ 
cessive flow when the tank is full, and restrict 
it when the tank is nearly empty. 

Ques. 395. Upon what does the saturation 
point for any given vapor depend? 

Ans. Upon the temperature. 

Ques. 396. What is meant by vapor tension? 

Ans. The pressure exerted by the vapor in its 
saturated state. 


W 

Ques. 397. How many systems of water cir¬ 
culation are. in use on automobiles for cooling 
the motor cylinders ? 

Ans. Two; the natural, or thermo-siphon 
system, and the forced water circulation. 

Ques. 398. Explain the operation of the 
thermo-siphon system ? 

Ans. Cold water being heavier than hot 
water, the circulation is obtained by having a 
head of water in a tank located above the level 
of the cylinder water-jacket, and as the water 
in the jacket is heated, the cooler water from 
the tank flows in, forcing the heated water to 
take its place in the tank, an automatic circula¬ 
tion being thus kept up. 


Catechism 


85 

Ques. 399. How is forced circulation of the 
cooling element maintained? 

Ans. By means of a rotary pump; the water 
passing from pump to jackets, thence to the 
radiators, on to the tank, and back through the 
pump again. 

Ques. 400. What is the meaning of a watt- 
hour? 

Ans. The voltage of the current multiplied 
by the rate of flow in amperes per hour gives 
the rate of energy expended in watt-hours. 

Ques. 401. Describe the wipe-spark ignition 
system ? 

Ans. A form of primary sparking device 
used on some gasoline motor cars, but used prin¬ 
cipally on marine and stationary gasoline 
motors. The make and break is between a 
rocker arm on the side of the combustion cham¬ 
ber, and a spring plunger above the end of the 
arm, and in the center of the cylinder head. 

Ques. 402. What will be the effect of the 
breakage of a wire in the ignition system of 
a single cylinder motor? 

Ans. The instant stoppage of the motor. 

Ques. 403. How would such an accident af¬ 
fect a multi-cylinder car, provided it was not 
the main circuit? 

Ans. It would probably slow the car, with 
the result of explosions in the muffler. 

Ques. 404. What causes wire-drawing of the 
mixture in carbureters? 

Ans. A restricted intake. 


86 


Autom&bile 


Ques. 405. What are some of the bad effects 
of such wire drawing? 

Ans. Excessive noises; reduction of power 
and waste of gasoline. 

Ques. 406. Can wood-alcohol be used to any 
advantage in the cooling system of an explosive 
motor? 

Ans. There is no particular advantage in 
using it, except to dispense with the use of 
water. The liability to freeze in cold weather 
is lessened however. 

X 

Ques. 407. Upon what principle is the ac¬ 
tion of the Xardell muffler based ? 

Ans. A vacuum is employed to create a suc¬ 
tion upon the exhaust gases coming from the 
motor. 


Z 

Ques. 408. What is absolute zero? 

Ans. A condition in which there is absolutely 
no vibration of the molecules, and consequently 
no heat. It has been calculated from experi¬ 
ments and observations to be a temperature of 
461° below zero Fahr. 


Reference tables 


501 Front axle with yokes and spring supports. 

502 Right steering knuckle. 

503 Left steering knuckle. 

504 Front springs. 

505 Front spring clips with cross pieces. 

506 King bolts and nuts. 

507 Inside annular front bearing. 

508 Outside annular front bearing. 

509 Nuts for spindle of knuckle. 

510 Lock washers for nuts on spindle. 

511 Steel dust washers. 

512 Felt dust washers. 

513 Front connecting rod complete with adjusting 

ends. 

514 Adjusting end right hand thread front. 

515 Adjusting end left hand thread front. 

516 Cone screws, nuts and brass cones for front 

adjusting ends. 

517 Rear connecting rod complete, adjusting end 

and ball rod adjuster. 

518 Adjusting end rear connecting rod. 

519 Cone screws, nuts and brass cones for rear con¬ 

necting rod. 

520 Ball rod adjuster with bolts. 

521 Ball rod with adjusting ring. 

522 Right hand front connecting rod lock nut. 

523 Left hand front connecting rod lock nut. 

525 Bolts for holding spokes in hubs. 

526 Spring clip holders. 

527 Hardened washer for knuckles. 

528 Ball rod brasses. 

529 Rear connecting rod lock nut. 

530 Front wheels with rims without tires and with¬ 
out bearings. 

Tires front and rear. 

87 


531 


88 


Automobile 


582 Washer inside front dust cap for holding in 
outside bearing. 

533 Front dust caps. 

534 Rear dust caps. 

535 Rear wheels with rims without tires and with¬ 

out bearings. 

536 Outside rear annular bearing. 

537 Inside rear annular bearing. 

538 Sleeve on spindle rear axle. 

539 Locknuts for rear wheels. 

540 Lock nut washers for rear wheels. 

541 Dog clutches. 

542 Inner axles, right and left, same length. 

544 Rear outside axle including top bearing of driv¬ 

ing shaft, hub brake supports, rear springs, 
supports, screw cover for gear case, auxiliary 
bearing caps and truss rod. 

545 Differential gear complete. 

546 Large bevel gears. 

547 Bevel pinion. 

548 Annular bearings on differential. 

549 Large nuts on differential for adjusting bear¬ 

ings. 

550 Lock washers between adjusting nuts on dif¬ 

ferential. 

551 Ball thrust bearing. 

552 Nut back of ball thrust on differential. 

553 Spur gear inside of differential. 

554 Spur pinions inside of differential. 

555 Bolts holding spur pinions in differential. 

556 Holders for rear spring bumpers. 

657 Rubber for bumpers. 

558 Lock springs for dust caps. 

559 Auxiliary bearing caps inside of gear case. 

560 Spring hooks for large and small brake bands. 

561 Large brake bands. 

562 Small brake bands. 


Catechism 89 

563 Hardened steel wearing plates for large and 

small brake bands. 

564 Cam shaft for large brake oand. 

565 Cam shaft for small brake bands. 

566 Spiral springs for large and small brake bands. 

567 Levers on cam shafts. 

568 Supporting pins for large and small brake bands. 

580 Truss rod under rear axle with two nuts. 

581 Cam shaft washer for large and small brakes. 

582 Eight hand front fender with irons. 

583 Left hand front fender with irons. 

584 Eear fender with irons. 

585 Driving shaft with nut for pinion and cross pin. 

586 Annular bearing on driving shaft back of 

pinion. 

587 Annular bearing at front end of driving shaft. 

588 Adjusting nuts on driving shaft. 

589 Lock washer for adjusting nuts on driving 

shaft. 

590 Swivel hub front bearing support for driving 

shaft without bearing. 

591 Sheet steel dust washer over bearing and screws 

for same. 

592 Felt dust washer over bearing. 

593 Swivel yoke. 

594 Swivel yoke bracket. 

595 Hinged tee for swivel yoke. 

596 Steel bar through swivel yoke bracket. 

597 Special cap screw holding swivel yoke to top 

driving shaft bearing. 

598 Three-eighths cap screw holding top bearing of 

driving shaft to tubular casing. 

599 Universal joint, main hardened steel portion. 

600 Squares in universal joint. 

601 15-16 r*' , h cross pin through driving shaft. 

602 Sleeve for universal joint. 

603 Eawhide cover for universal joint. 

604 Cap screws in universal joint sleeve. 


Automobile 


90 

605 Nuts on universal joint. 

606 Washer between nuts on universal joint. 

607 Fender brackets riveted to frame. 

608 Fender studs for runningboard. 

609 Pressed steel frame with parts riveted on in' 

eluding front and rear spring loops. 

610 Front spring loop, right. 

611 Front spring loop, left. 

612 Bear spring loop, right. 

613 Bear spring loop, left. 

614 Front spring brackets. 

615 Bear spring brackets. 

616 Brake and clutch shaft brackets. 

617 Bear springs. 

618 Bear spring links. 

619 Front spring links. 

620 Bolts and nuts for front and rear spring links. 

621 Bolts and nuts for attaching front spring to 

loop and rear spring to bracket. 

622 B. H. front runningboard supporting iron. 

623 L. H. front runningboard supporting iron. 

624 Bear supporting irons for runningboard. 

625 Bight hand runningboard with brass edge strip. 

626 Left hand runningboard with brass edge strip. 

627 Brass edge strip around runningboard. 

628 Bubber mats on runningboard. 

629 Tonneau steps. 

630 Tonneau step brackets. 

631 Bubber mat for tool box. 

632 Battery box. 

633 Tool box. 

634 Dash brackets. 

635 Bear locker box. 

636 Tail lamp bracket, brass plated. 

637 Front lamp brackets, brass plated. 

638 Bight hand side lamp braeket, brass plated,. 

639 Left hand side lamp bracket, brass plated. 

640 Wood dash. 


Catechism 


91 


641 Aluminum dash shield. 

642 Foot pedal bracket. 

643 Shaft through foot pedals. 

644 Brake foot pedal. 

645 Clutch foot pedal. 

646 Throttle pedal. 

647 Tapered washers between clutch, brake and 

throttle pedal. 

648 Square tube under dash. 

649 Aluminum clutch with leather and springs under 

leather. 

650 Leather on clutch. 

651 Springs under clutch. 

652 Clutch hub. 

653 Clutch hub sleeve. 

654 Ball thrust bearing back of slide. 

655 Clutch slide. 

656 Clutch yoke. 

657 Special cap screws for clutch yoke. 

658 Clutch shaft. 

659 Clutch coupling. 

660 Clutch coupling sliding squares. 

661 Clutch coupling bolt (long). 

662 Clutch coupling bolt (short). 

663 Large spiral spring in clutch hub'. 

664 Large hexagon head cap screw holding spiral 

spring in clutch hub. (Clutch stud.) 

665 Tapered pin and nut inside of clutch stud. 

666 Thrust ball bearing and two washers on clutch 

screw. 

667 Clutch buffer complete with leather covered 

button. 

668 Clutch buffer brace. 

669 Clutch buffer button. 

670 Hexagon nut holding steering wheel on stem. 

671 Steering chuck. 

672 Steering stem with throttle and spark rods and 

worms. 


92 

673 

674 

675 

676 

677 

678 

679 

680 

681 

682 

683 

684 

685 

686 

687 

688 

689 

690 

691 

692 

693 

694 

695 

696 

697 

698 

699 

700 

701 

702 

703 

704 

705 

706 

707 


Automobile 


Steering post with knurled nut at top. 

Spark collar. 

Throttle collar. 

Steering wheel with ratchet. 

Ratchet and screws for steering wheel. 

Spark lever on wheel. 

Throttle lever on wheel. 

Nut holding spark lever to rod. 

Dust tube on steering chuck. 

Dust tube packing nut. 

Spark bell crank lever. 

Bracket for spark bell crank lever. 

Timer rod. 

Throttle shaft with levers and throttle cam. 
Throttle shaft brackets. 

Rod and adjuster to throttle pedal. 

Carbureter rod and adjuster. 

Carbureter. 

Carbureter intake pipe with flange. 

Pipe nipple for carbureter. 

Carbureter air pipe. 

Auxiliary air inlet for carbureter. 

Brake hand lever. 

Brake hand lever slide. 

Special screws in brake hand lever slide. 
Controller hand lever. 

Controller hand lever catch. 

Grips for controller and brake hand lever. 
Tension rods and ends for controller and hand 
brake levers. 

Brake lever shaft with intermediate brake lever. 
Controller lever shaft. 

Short gear shifting lever. 

Spiral springs for hand brake and controller 
lever rods. 

Bell crank clutch lever. 

Brass hexagon nut for controller shaft. 



Transmission Gear. 

























































































































































































































































































































708 

709 

710 

711 

712 

713 

717 

718 

719 

720 

721 

722 

723 

724 

725 

726 

727 

728 

729 

731 

732 

733 

734 

735 

736 

737 

738 

739 

740 

742 

743 


Catechism 


93 


Collar for controller shaft. 

Brake and clutch slotted clevises with adjust¬ 
ing ends. 

Adjusting ends for all brake rods and for brake 
and clutch slotted clevises. 

Slotted clevises. 

Clutch tension rod. 

Long tension rod for hub brakes. 

Left outside brake tubing, with levers and 
offset levers and bracket and muffler support. 
Right outside brake tubing, with levers and 
offset levers and bracket. 

Inside shaft with lever and offset levers. 
Equalizing levers on outside shaft for large 
brake. 

Cross bar on equalizing links. 

Springs for equalizing levers. 

Chain for equalizing levers. 

Equalizing link rods. 

Tension rods for large brake. 

Tension rods for small brake. 

Offset levers for large brake. 

Offset levers for small brake. 

Levers on inside shaft for small brake. 
Interlocking sector. 

Interlocking sector, roller and adjuster. 

Long clutch lever. 

Hub brake cable with clevis. 

Turnbuckle for brake cable. 

Double clamp for foot brake cable. 

Clamp and leather for foot brake cable. 
Position holder for foot brake. 

Ratchet bracket. 

Inside bracket for controller shaft. 

Dust pan under transmission. 

Right side dust pan on side of engine, rear 
section. 


94 

744 

745 

746 

747 

748 

749 

750 

751 

752 

753 

754 

755 

756 

758 

759 

760 

761 

762 

763 

764 

765 

766 

767 

768 

769 

770 

771 

772 

773 

774 

775 

776 

777 

778 


Automobile 

Right side dust pan on side of engine, front 
section. 

Left side dust pan on side of engine. 

Front dust pan. 

Starting crank. 

Starting shaft. 

Starting shaft bracket. 

Starting shaft spring. 

Ratchet collar for starting shaft. 

Brass plated nut for starting shaft. 

Steering chuck brace. 

Steering post bushing. 

Worm and shaft for spark lever inside steering 
post. 

Worm and tubing for throttle lever inside steer¬ 
ing post. 

Timer complete. 

Timer and top of governor case. 

Timer plunger spring. 

Timer plunger holder. 

Timer case. 

Timer case and top of governor case. 

Timer contact segments. 

Timer screw cap. 

Timer glass. 

Fiber ring in timer. 

Ball cup in timer. 

Cone in timer. 

Nuts on shaft through timer. 

Governor case. 

Governor upper spider and screws. 

Governor lower spider and studs. 

Governor weight pivot. 

Governor shaft. 

Governor arms and pins. 

Governor weights. 

Governor springs. 


Catechism 


95 


779 Bronze bushing in timer. 

780 Long spiral spring holding timer. 

781 Insulated bushings for timer case. 

784 Muffler. 

785 Muffler pipe. 

786 Union nut for muffler pipe. 

787 Muffler cutout valve. 

788 Rear end of muffler complete. 

789 Muffler spiral springs. 

790 Muffler cutout lever. 

791 Muffler cable. 

792 Muffler push rod. 

793 Muffler bell crank. 

794 Muffler plunger. 

795 Muffler bell crank stud. 

796 Rubber button on muffler rod plunger. 

797 Gasoline tank under front seat. 

798 Gasoline tank straps. 

799 Gasoline tank supports. 

800 Gasoline tank cap. 

802 Fiber block on dash for wiring. 

803 Fiber block (4 hole) on engine for wiring, with 

support. 

804 Fiber block (2 hole) on engine for wiring, with 

support. 

805 Fiber block (6 hole) on engine for wiring, with 

support. 

806 Fiber tubing for wiring. 

807 Chains and rubber tubing for wiring. 

808 Spark plug gaps. 

809 Spark coils. 

810 Vibrators for spark coils. 

811 Adjusting screws for vibrator for spark coils. 

812 Plug for spark coil. 

813 Dry cells. 

814 Terminal nuts for dry cells. 

815 Wire connectors for dry cells. 


96 

816 

817 

818 

819 

820 

821 

822 

823 

824 

825 

826 

827 

828 

829 

830 

831 

832 

833 

835 

836 

837 

838 

839 

840 

841 

842 

843 

844 

845 

846 

847 

848 

849 

850 

851 

852 

853 


Automobile 


Storage batteries. 

Snap switch for dynamo. 

Automatic cutout. 

Snap switch for lights. 

Electric light globes for side and tail lamps. 
Dynamo. 

Brush holders for dynamo. 

Carbon brushes. 

Coil nuts for coil connectors. 

Sockets for side and tail lamps. 

Dynamo governor with spring. 

Dynamo rawhide pulley. 

Bronze bearing bushing, lower end. 

Wiring shield on front of dash. 

Clevis pins, long. 

Clevis pins, short. 

Clevis pins for spark and throttle. 
Compression relief rod. 

Oil tank. 

Oil tank strap. 

Oil tank cap. 

Pet cock on oil tank. 

Oiler with case complete. 

Oil pump pulley on oiler. 

Flexible tube to oiler. 

Stop cock to oiler. 

Caps for adjusting stems on oiler. 

Sight feeds on dash. 

Glasses for sight feeds. 

Plungers for sight feeds. 

Plunger springs for sight feeds. 

Pipes from oiler to sight feeds. 

Pipe to engine crank case, long. 

Pipe to engine crank case, short. 

Pipe to engine main bearing. 

Pipe to clutch slide. 

Pipe to transmission. 













































































































































































































































































































































































































































\>an 









































854 

855 

856 

857 

858 

859 

860 

861 

862 

863 

864 

865 

866 

867 

868 

869 

870 

871 

872 

873 

874 

875 

876 

877 

878 

879 

880 

881 

882 

883 

884 

885 

886 

887 

888 

889 

890 


Catechism 


97 


Pipe to rear system. 

Unions for ends of oil pipes. 

Oil packing nut at pulley. 

Pipe to center of cylinder crank case. 

Bracket for oiler. 

Belt for oiler one-fourth inch diameter. 

Belt hooks for oil belt. 

Radiator. 

Radiator filling cap. 

Top hose for radiator. 

Bottom hose for radiator. 

Clamps on hose. 

Hose nipple. 

Radiator fan. 

Radiator fan braces. 

Radiator fan bearings with shaft. 

Tee in bottom of pump. 

Plug in tee in bottom of pump. 

Drain cock in bottom of radiator. 

Fan belt. 

Fan pulley attached to fan. 

Hood. 

Hood fasteners with springs. 

Radiator brace, right. 

Radiator brace, left. 

Fan pulley on crank shaft. 

Auxiliary gasoline tank. 

Front bracket for auxiliary gasoline tank. 

Rear bracket for auxiliary gasoline tank. 

Pipe from main to auxiliary gasoline tank. 

Pipe from auxiliary tank to carbureter. 

Pet cock on bottom of gasoline tank. 

Stop cock on bottom of gasoline tank. 

Air pipe from auxiliary gasoline tank. 

Cap on air pipe on dash. 

Oiler pulley on crank shaft. 

Transmission complete with universal joint and 
coupling. 


98 Automobile 

891 Transmission case complete with cap for reverse 

bearing. 

892 Rear main bearing sleeve complete with univer¬ 

sal joint, stationary tooth clutch, gear apd 
annular bearings with adjuster. 

893 Rear main bearing sleeve. 

894 Lid for top of case. 

895 Winged nut for lid. 

896 S' tionary tooth clutch. 

897 Bushing for stationary tooth clutch. 

898 End adjuster ring for rear main bearing. 

899 Locking keys for end adjusters for main bear¬ 

ing and counter shaft. 

900 Fillister head screws for locking keys. 

901 Stud holding annular bearing on stationary tooth 

clutch. 

902 Felt washer in long bearing end. 

903 Large felt washer for short bearing end. 

904 Small felt washer for short bearing end. 

905 Main shaft. 

906 Collar on main shaft between annular and clutcli 

coupling yoke. 

907 Counter shaft complete with gears. 

908 Counter shaft bearing sleeve. 

909 Adjuster for counter shaft. 

910 Collar between 18 and 28 tooth gears on counter 

shaft. 

911 Collar between 28 and 34 tooth gears on counter 

shaft. 

912 Collar between 18 tooth gear and annular bear¬ 

ing on counter shaft. 

913 Collar between 34 tooth gear and annular bear¬ 

ing on counter shaft. 

914 Counter shaft. 

915 Reverse shaft. 

916 Reverse shaft spring. 

917 Reverse bearing bushing. 

918 Reverse bearing plug for front end. 


919 

920 

921 

922 

923 

924 

925 

926 

927 

928 

929 

930 

931 

932 

933 

934 

935 

936 

937 

938 

939 

940 

941 

950 

951 

952 

953 

954 

955 

956 

959 

960 

962 

963 

964 

965 


Catechism, 


99 


Reverse bearing cap. 

Guard for sliding reverse pinion. 

Five-sixteenths inch dowel pin. 

Plug in bottom of case. 

Large rear annular bearing on universal joint 
in long bearing sleeve. 

Small annular bearing in long bearing sleeve. 
Annular bearing on main shaft, in front of case. 
Annular bearings on counter shaft. 

33- tooth gear on stationary tooth clutch. 

Sliding pinion and clutch on main shaft with 23 

and 17-tooth gears. 

18- tooth gear on counter shaft. 

34- tooth gear on counter shaft. 

28-tooth gear on counter shaft. 

14-tooth gear on reverse shaft. 

19- tooth gear on reverse shaft. 

Tubing for shifter rod. 

Stuffing box for shifter rod. 

Shifter rod. 

Sliding pinion yoke. 

Pinion shifter connecting rod. 

Pinion shifter connecting rod end adjuster. 
One-half-inch studs for main bearing. 

Clutch coupling yoke. 

Upper crank case of engine. 

Lower crank case of engine. 

Crank bronze bushing flywheel end. 

Crank bronze bushing gear end (short). 

Crank bronze bushing gear end (long). 

Long bearing cap flywheel end. 

Short bearing cap gear end. 

Crank bronze bushing under hangers. 

Hanger bearing caps. 

Crank shaft. 

Crank shaft gear. 

Cylinders. 

Loose gear cover for pump and cam gears. 


Automobile 


100 

966 Hanger bearing Studs. 

967 Tinier bracket on cylinder. 

968 Copper liners for connecting rods. 

969 Pistons. 

970 Piston rings. 

971 Piston pin set screws. 

972 Piston pins. 

973 Connecting rods. 

974 Connecting rod bushing, upper end. 

975 Connecting rod bushing, lower end. 

976 Connecting rod studs, lower end. 

977 Connecting rod stud nuts, lower end. 

978 Connecting rod stud, upper end. 

979 Connecting rod stud nuts, upper end. 

980 Cam shaft. 

981 Cams. 

982 Cam shaft gear. 

983 Cam shaft bushings. 

984 Cam shaft bushing cap. 

985 Valves, both intake and exhaust. 

986 Valve caps. 

987 Valve lifter cages. 

988 Valve lifters assembled. 

989 Valve spring washers. 

990 Valve springs. 

991 Valve spring washer keys. 

992 Spiral gears 7 / s in. bore. 

993 Spiral gears % in. bore. 

994 Inlet flange connection to carbureter. 

995 Loose inlet flange. 

996 Double tapered nipples for inlet and exhaust 

pipes. 

997 Water pipe, horizontal outlet to radiator. 

998 Water pipes, horizontal inlet. 

999 Vertical water pipe. 

1000 Waterpipe gaskets. 

1001 Water pipe studs and nuts. 

1002 Exhaust pipe, cast iron. 


1003 

1004 

1005 

1006 

1007 

1008 

1009 

1010 

1011 

1012 

1013 

1014 

1015 

1016 

1017 

1018 

1019 

1020 

1021 

1022 

1023 

1024 

1025 

1026 

1027 

1028 

1029 


Catechism 101 

Exhaust pipe, front section; exhaust pipe, rear 
section. 

Clamping bars for exhaust and inlet pipes. 
Inlet pipe cast iron. 

Inspection plates. 

Inspection plate screws. 

Flywheel. 

Flywheel countersunk bolts for attaching fly¬ 
wheel to crank flange. 

Flywheel hexagon bolts for attaching flywheel 
to crank flange. 

Flywheel bolt nuts. 

Gear pump complete. 

Pump case. 

Pump case cover. 

Pump gears. 

Pump gear shaft, long. 

Pump gear shaft, short. 

Pump packing nut. 

Pump packing gland. 

Relief cocks, % in. 

Drain cocks, % in. 

Priming cups. 

Spark plugs. 

Spiral gear shaft collar on upper end* 

Spiral gear cover. 

Spiral gear timer shaft. 

Spiral gear shaft, lower bushing. 

Spiral gear shaft, upper bushing. 

Crank case vent. 


INDEX 


A. 

Page 

Acceleration . 11 

Acetylene .11, 45 

Acetometer . 12 

Active coil . 12 

Adams motor car. 12 

Admission pipes for explosive motors. 12 

Admission valves .12, 13 

Air—composition of. 13 

Air cooling for explosive motors . 13 

Air—proportion of in explosive mixture.13, 15 

Air—resistance of, in horse power. 14 

Alcohol—denatured. 14 

Alcohol—wood . 14, 86 

Alcohol, as a fuel .14, 15 

Aluminum . 15 

Aluminoid . 15 

Ammeter . 15 

Ampere . 15 

Ampere hour—meaning of .15, 16 

Armature. 16 

Autogenous welding. 16 

Auto meter. 16 

Automobile—types of. 16 

Axles for automobiles.16, 17 

B. 

Back-firing . 17 

Ball-bearings .17, 18 

Battery—Dry. 18 

Battery—Primary . 18 


103 






























104 


Index 


Battery—Storage .19, 20 

Batteries—How connected. 19 

Bearings—Hard and soft. 20 

Brake—Differential .20, 21 

Brake—Expanding. 20 

Brake—Sprag. 21 

Brakes—Classification of . 20 

Brakes—Equalizer for. 21 

Brakes—How to apply. 22 

Break-downs—What to do .22-24 

Chain broken. 22 

Circulating pump stopped. 23 

Gasoline pipe broken. 23 

Miss-firing cylinder . 23 

Befractory nut . 24 

Steering gear disabled . 24 

Trembler blades broken . 24 

C. 

Carbon Deposit—symptoms of . 25 

Carbureter—Classification of.25-27 

Action of various types.25, 26 

Function of . 25 

Float Feed .26, 27 

Inspection of. 27 

Chain drive—Double .27, 28 

Chain drive—Single. 28 

Change Speed Gear.28, 29 

Belt and Pulley type. 29 

Planetary type . 28 

Chassis—Meaning of. 29 

Circuit Breaker. 29 

Circulating Pump .29, 30 

Clutches—Classification of. 30 

Combustion Chamber. 30 

Commutator .30, 31 

Compensating Joint. 31 

Compression in Explosive Motors. 31 






































Index 


105 


Current Condenser . 31 

Contact Breaker... 31 

Cooling of Cylinders.31, 32 

Cylinders—Wear of. 32 

D. 

Dalton's Laws—Vapor tension. 32 

Deposits in cooling space...32, 33 

Differential Gear—Function of. 33 

Distributer—with ignition system. 33 

Driving—Rules for. 34 

Driving wheels . 34 

Dynamometer .34 

E. 

Efficiency of an explosive motor.35, 52, 53 

Electric current—How generated.36, 37 

Electric Energy per lamp candle power. 37 

Electric Motor.37-40 

Compound wound. 38 

Essential features of .38, 39 

Horse Power of . 40 

Series wound. 38 

Shunt wound. 38 

Speed control .39, 40 

Troubles in operation . 39 

Types of . 37 

Electro-Motive Force . 41 

Exhaust of explosive motors.41 

Exhaust Mufflers. 41 

Expansion of exploded gases. 41 

Explosive Motors—Types of. 42 

Cycle of. 42 

Double cylinder... 43 

Single cylinder. 42 

F. 


Fibre—Vulcanized 


43 


































106 


Index 


Friction—Definition of . 43 

Laws of. 43 

Prevention of in bearings . 44 

Fuels for Automobile Use.44, 45 

Fuel Consumption .45, 49 

G. 

Gas Producer for Automobile Use. 46 

Gases—Law of expanding . 45 

Gasoline—Average composition of. 44 

As a mechanical mixture. 13 

Carbon deposits from . 45 

Explosions of . 47 

Fires from—How to extinguish.47, 48 

How affected by cold. 63 

Whence obtained. 47 

Gasoline Motor.48-50 

Advantages of different types. 48 

Designing of.48, 49 

Selection of—Pointers on.48, 49 

Gear—How to change while moving.49, 50 

Gear case .50 

Generator—Meaning of term. 50 

Forms of for ignition purposes .50, 51 

Governor—For explosive motor. 51 

Graphite—Use of .51, 59 

H. 

Heat value of fuels. 51 

Heat loss in explosive motors.51, 52 

Horse Power—Calculation of. 52 

Hub construction . 52 

I. 

Ignition—Methods of . 53 

Correct rule for handling. 54 

Troubles connected with. 54 

































Index 


107 


When to advance .53, 54 

When to retard . 53 

Indicator. 54 

Induction—Basic principle of. 54 

Inertia—Meaning of . 54 

J. 

Jackets for explosive motors.55, 62 

Jacket Water—Temperature of.55, 56 

Joint—Universal . 56 

K. 

Kerosene—Composition of. 44 

As a fuel for explosive motors. 56 

Heat value of . 56 

Ignition point of . 56 

Uses of in automobiling. 56 

Knocking—Causes of in motors . 57 

Knuckle Joints . 57 

L. 

Lamps—Acetylene .57, 58 

Leakage of current . 58 

Leaky pipes . 58 

Loose connections—Ignition system . 59 

Lubrication .59-61 

Lubricating oils .59, 60 

M. 

Magneto. 61 

Manifold—Correct design for. 61 

Motor—Two part . 62 

N. 

Needle valve . 62 

Non-freezing solution for radiators. 62 





























108 


Index 


O. 

Oil—As a cooling medium. 63 

Offset crank shaft.63, 64 

Advantage of . 64 

Object of . 64 

Timing of valves with. 64 

Over-heating of cylinders. 65 

Causes of.65, 66 

Effect of. 65 

Remedies for . 66 

P. 

Packing for explosive motors . 66 

Paper Shims. 66 

Parts—Extra to be carried .66, 67 

Picric Acid—Use of . 67 

Piston for gasoline engine. 67 

Piston displacement. 67 

Piston speed .67, 68 

Platinum. 68 

Polarity of electric terminals. 68 

Porcelain as an insulator . 68 

Pounding in an explosive motor. 68 

Pre-ignition—Causes of. 68 

Pump .68, 69 

Centrifugal. 69 

Peripheral velocity . 69 

Testing . 69 

R. 

Radiator.69-71 

Advantages of circular tube. 69 

Cellular type . 70 

Honey comb type . 70 

Square feet per horse powder. 70 

When to fill .70, 71 

Reversing a car . 71 


































Index 


109 


Rheostat—Function of . 71 

Rubber Cement—Formula for. 71 

Rubber Supplies—Care of. 71 

Running Gear . 72 

S. 

Scratched Cylinder—Repairing. 72 

Screwdriver. 72 

Secondary current .. 73 

Self-firing of explosive motor. 73 

Shaft drive. 73 

Sparking device .73, 74 

Cleaning and care of. 74 

Speedometer . 74 

Springs—Care of.74, 75 

Design of . 74 

Steering gear. 75 

Steam Motors .75-78 

Advantages of. 75 

Boiler—Type of . 75 

Engines—Types of. 76 

Fuel . 75 

Pilot light . 76 

Valve gear . 77 

Supplies to be carried.77, 78 

Suspension—Three point . 78 

T. 

Tachometer. 78 

Tank—Capacity of in gallons. 78 

Tank—For gasoline . 78 

Testing ignition batteries.78, 79 

Tire—Single tube—Double tube. 79 

Tonneau—Meaning of word . 79 

Touring car—General description of. 79 

Touring supplies to be carried.79, 80 

Torsion rod—Function of. 80 

Traction of driving wheels. 80 




































110 


Index 


Transmission—Efficiency of. 80 

Throttling the charge . 80 

Tubing—Copper. 80 

Two cylinder opposed motor. 64 

U. 

Unit of heat . 81 

Mechanical equivalent of . 81 

Units of heat in gasoline . 81 

V. 

Valves of an explosive motor.82, 83 

Auxiliary Air valve. 82 

Butterfly valve .82, 83 

Exhaust valve . 82 

Globe valve . 83 

Lead of. 83 

Swing check. 83 

Vapor—Saturation point of. 84 

Vapor tension. 84 

Vaporizers for carbureters . 84 

W. 

Water circulating systems. 84 

Water freezing in jackets.62, 63 

Watt hour—Meaning of. 85 

Wipe spark ignition system . 85 

Wire—Result of breaking. 85 

Wire drawing of mixture.85, 86 

Wood alcohol .14, 86 

X. 

Xardell muffler . 86 

Z. 


Zero—Absolute 


86 




























THE AUTOMOBILE HAND-BOOK 

OVER 100,000 SOLD 

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The Practical Gas & 

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A MANUAL of useful in¬ 
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Tw entieth Century 

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By L. ELLIOTT BROOKES 

The best and latest and most 
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12mo, cloth, 636 pages, 456 fine illustrations, price, $2.00 


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The Calculation of Horse 
Power Made Easy : : : 

By L. ELLIOTT BROOKES 

Author of “Gas and Oil Engine Hand-Book,” 

“The Automobile Hand-Book,” Etc. 

Size, 5x7%. 80 Pages, Illustrated. Cloth, 75 Cents 


T HIS work deals in a practical and non¬ 
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Particular attention has been given to the 
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It has been the endeavor to present in as 
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This work covers many points regarding 
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THIS NE vi EDITION contains m addition four complete chapters Oft 
I he oteam Turbine and Mechanical Stokers which is not included in 
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15he 20th Century Hand Book 


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A COMPENDIUM 
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Formerly Chief Engineer of the Pullman Car Works. Late Chief Engineer 
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The electrical part of this valuable volume was written by a practical 
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DEC 19 1910 

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